The pathologic, clinical and radiologic features, diagnosis and treatment of mesenteric cysts in infancy and childhood, based upon a study of 82 cases in the literature, are discussed. An additional case of mesenteric cyst is presented.
Mesenteric cysts were usually noted in male children from 2 to 10 years of age, presenting with abdominal enlargement and abdominal pain, and revealing characteristic roentgenographic findings.
Excision of the cyst was often complicated by adhesions to the intestinal wall; simultaneous resection of the involved intestine has become a safe procedure, with an operative mortality of 7% in recent years.