Incidental discovery of a large mesenteric lipoma in a child following minor trauma: A case report

TL;DR

A 12-year-old girl had a rare abdominal tumor discovered by accident during a routine trauma scan, which was successfully removed with no complications.

Contribution

This case highlights the incidental detection and successful surgical management of a rare pediatric mesenteric lipoma.

Findings

Mesenteric lipomas in children are rare and often asymptomatic until complications arise.

Complete surgical excision of the tumor resulted in an uneventful recovery and no recurrence after one year.

CT imaging was crucial for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.

Abstract

Mesenteric lipomas are rare in children, with highly variable clinical presentations ranging from mild abdominal symptoms to acute bowel obstruction. Accurate imaging is essential for diagnosis, and early detection followed by complete surgical excision results in excellent outcomes with a low risk of recurrence.

We report a 12-year-old female who presented with left leg laceration following a minor road traffic accident. While abdominal ultrasound performed as part of trauma evaluation revealed no acute injuries, it incidentally identified a well-defined intra-abdominal mass. Subsequent contrast-enhanced CT confirmed a homogeneous, intraabdominal low-attenuation lesion consistent with a lipoma. Elective laparotomy revealed a solitary, encapsulated tumor arising from the transverse colon mesentery, which was excised without bowel resection. Histopathology confirmed a mature lipoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed after one year of follow-up.

Mesenteric lipomas are rarely encountered in children and often remain asymptomatic until they reach a significant size or complications develop. Imaging modalities such as CT and MRI play a crucial role in accurate diagnosis and preoperative planning. Complete surgical excision is curative and typically associated with excellent outcomes.

Mesenteric lipomas are rare in children and can pose a diagnostic challenge due to their uncommon occurrence and variable clinical presentation. Vigilance during imaging, even in trauma cases, is essential for early detection. Complete surgical excision ensures excellent outcomes with minimal risk of recurrence.

•Mesenteric lipomas are rare benign tumors, particularly in the pediatric population.•Clinical presentation is highly variable.•Imaging, especially CT, is essential for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.•Complete surgical excision offers an excellent prognosis with a low risk of recurrence.

Mesenteric lipomas are rare benign tumors, particularly in the pediatric population.

Clinical presentation is highly variable.

Imaging, especially CT, is essential for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.

Complete surgical excision offers an excellent prognosis with a low risk of recurrence.

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