Giant mesenteric lipoma as an unusual cause of abdominal pain: a case report and a review of the literature

J Korean Med Sci. 2009 Apr;24(2):333-6. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.2.333. Epub 2009 Apr 20.

Abstract

We report a rare case of giant mesenteric lipoma presenting with colicky abdominal pain. A 29-yr-old woman underwent laparoscopic resection for a giant mesenteric lipoma causing compression of the ileal loop. The resected ileal segment was encased by a giant fatty tissue, and normal mucosal fold patterns of the resected ileum were effaced by the mass. Microscopically, the mass was characterized by homogenous mature adipose tissue without cellular atypia, which was compatible with the diagnosis of a mesenteric lipoma. Despite the benign nature of this tumor, total excision with or without the affected intestinal loop should be considered if intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain are present.

Keywords: Abdominal Pain; Computed Tomography; Laparoscopy; Lipoma; Mesentery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology*
  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ileal Diseases / etiology
  • Laparoscopy
  • Lipoma / complications
  • Lipoma / diagnosis*
  • Lipoma / surgery
  • Mesentery* / pathology
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / complications
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed