ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2007; 24 (4): 189-194

Review article

MESENTERIC CYSTS

Dragojlo Gmijovic
Miroslav Jeremic
Miroslav Stojanovic
Milan Radojkovic

Surgical Clinic Clinical Center in Nis

  SUMMARY

    Mesenteric cysts are rare intraabdominal tumors usually briefly reported in textbooks. Their low incidence is the main reason for the lack of simple and clinically relevant classification of these masses. The aim of the study was to identify and characterize different groups of mesenteric cysts and to state their most distinguished features concerning clinical presentation, histopathological structure, diagnosis and treatment by a literature review and present the most appropriate classification available in literature. Classification based essentially on histopathological features seems to be most comprehensive and includes the six following groups of mesenteric cysts: 1) cysts of lymphatic origin, 2) cysts of mesothelial origin, 3) cysts of enteric origin, 4) cysts of urogenital origin, 5) mature cystic teratoma and 6) pseudocysts. Surgical extirpation of mesenteric cyst with resection of adjacent organs if necessary is mandatory in order to exclude malignant alteration and prevent complications such as inflammation, hemorrhage, torsion or rupture. The preferred mode of treatment is enucleation.

    Key words: mesenteric cyst, classification, treatment