Background: Abdominal distension in children can be caused by fluid accumulation due to ascites or large cysts.
Case presentation: A 25-month-old girl was brought to the pediatric gastroenterology clinic with the chief complaint of nontraumatic acute abdominal pain. She had undergone paracentesis last year with a diagnosis of suspected ascites in another medical clinic. Moreover, a CT scan following paracentesis was reported to be normal. After a few months, she gradually developed abdominal distension again. Diagnostic evaluations along with biochemical parameters and imaging strongly suggested the presence of a cyst. The large mesenteric cyst was totally removed by surgery.
Conclusion: In conclusion, in the face of recurrence of abdominal fluid accumulation, mesenteric cysts should be considered despite the fact that abdominal CT scan is normal after paracentesis.
Keywords: Ascites; CT scan; Cystic lymphangiomas; Paracentesis.