A Neonatal Surprise: A Rare Round Ligament Cyst

TL;DR

A rare case of a neonate with a benign cyst from the round ligament of the liver was surgically treated, highlighting the importance of diagnosis and management of such rare pediatric liver ligament masses.

Contribution

This is the first reported case of a neonatal round ligament cyst in the pediatric literature.

Findings

The neonate's abdominal mass was diagnosed as a benign cyst arising from the round ligament of the liver.

Surgical excision was performed to confirm the diagnosis and prevent potential future complications.

Such cases are rare and require careful evaluation to distinguish from other liver masses.

Abstract

Ligamentum teres (or round ligament) of the liver is a cord-like structure found within the falciform ligament. Lesions originating from the ligaments of the liver are a rare entity, especially in the pediatric population; they can be either benign or malignant. Here we report a case of a neonatal abdominal mass arising from the round ligament of the liver that was treated with surgical excision, raising the question of possible outcomes if left untreated.

We present a case of a term female neonate born with an abdominal mass noticed after being investigated for feed intolerance; the mass was diagnosed with radiological imaging, surgically excised at the neonatal period, and sent for histopathology. It was found to be a benign cyst arising from the round ligament of the liver.

Here we discuss the radiological and pathological findings of such a rare mass that, to the best of our knowledge, has not been found to be reported in the pediatric literature. Symptoms can be variable and nonspecific; the need for investigation and type of imaging with surgical vs. conservative intervention all depend on the nature of the mass or cyst arising from the liver ligaments; the final histopathology can be benign or malignant; therefore, excision is important to reach a final diagnosis.

In conclusion, cysts of the round ligament of the liver in a neonate have yet to be described in the literature; the etiology and the possible future symptomatology, if left untreated, are still unknown.

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