Omental cysts mimickıng acute abdomen ın a 3-year-old gırl

Omental cysts (OC) are rare abdominal pathology which are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The most common presenting symptoms are abdominal distension and abdominal pain. We present a case of OC in a 3-year-old girl who presented with acute abdominal symptoms. The cyst was totally excised and histological examination revealed an OC with endothelial lining and serous fluid inside. A patient with OC in this report is presented and discussed with regard to the foregoing literature. Correspondence to: Volkan Sarper Erikci, Kazım Dirik Mah. Mustafa Kemal Cad. Hakkıbey apt. No:45 D.10 35100 Bornova-İzmir, Tel: +90 542 4372747, Office: +90 232 4696969, Fax: +90 232 4330756 Received: February 03, 2017; Accepted: February 16, 2017; Published: February 18, 2017 Introduction Omental cysts (OC) are rare intra-abdominal pathologies with only about 150 cases reported till now [1]. These are mostly benign lesions. With regard to Japanese literature these masses occur more frequently in men than in women whereas there is a female predominance in Western countries [2]. This report describes a case of OC presented with acute abdomen. Patient A previously healthy 3-year-old girl was evaluated because of an acute abdominal pain with 3 days duration with bilious vomiting. Her physical examination revealed generalized peritoneal tenderness. The laboratory tests were normal except a leukocytosis (18.300/mm3) and an increase in CRP level (65.8 mg/L). X-ray of the abdomen was inconclusive with no signs of intestinal obstruction (Figure 1). Ultrasonography (US) demonstrated generalized multiseptated free fluid occupying hypogastric area. The patient underwent surgery with a probable diagnosis of perforated appendicitis. Intraoperative findings showed a multiloculated cystic mass of 12x10 cm in diameter arising form the greater omentum (Figure 2 and 3). Total excision of the mass was performed. The histopathological examination revealed a multicystic mass compatible with omental cyst and accompanying chronic inflamatory changes. Following an uneventful postoperative course, the patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. Control US taken on the 3rd postopertive month is normal and the patient has no symptoms or signs related to the operation. Discussion OCs are benign abdominal anomalies with uncertain etiologies. They are assumed to represent benign proliferation of ectopic lymphatics that lack communication with the normal lymphatic system [3]. Since the first description of an OC in 1852 by Gairdner, this entity has been reported very scarcely [4-6]. The incidence of mesenteric and OCs is 1 in 20000 among children and lower in infants and of these cystic masses 2.2% are OCs [7]. About 150 cases have been reported upto now, 25% of which have been detected in children less than 10 years of age [1,8]. Different etiological factors have been proposed for these masses including benign proliferation of mesenteric lymphatics, failed fusion of the mesenteric leaves, and deficiency of the lymphatico-venous shunts [8-10]. Other etiologic hypotheses include trauma, neoplasia and degeneration of the lymph nodes [5]. These cysts may present either incidentally or with acute abdominal pain with abdominal distention and possible ascites [2,8,11]. The location and the size of the cyst have an impact on the spectrum of symptomatology. Disorders related to respiratory or urinary system, in addition to symptoms of portal vein compression may also be seen due to cyst enlargement. Like the case presented in this report, patients under 10 years of age are Figure 1. Plain X-ray of the abdomen showing distended bowel loops and faecal material. Note there is no evidence of bowel obstruction or perforation. Erikci VS (2017) Omental cysts mimickıng acute abdomen ın a 3-year-old gırl Volume 1(1): 2-3 Clin Diagn Pathol, 2017 doi: 10.15761/CDP.1000105 different from older ones having shorter duration of symptoms, higher emergent surgical intervention rates and lower recurrences [12]. Of the children with OCs 11-19% present with acute abdominal symptoms including torsion, bleeding or rupture of the cyst [2]. Our case with a 3 days duration of symptoms, had a large OC originating from the greater omentum in the region of transverse colon and splenic hilus. The cyst with a dimension of 10x12 cm had multiloculated appearance containing serosanginous liquid inside without solid component and was totally excised. Histopathological examination revealed findings compatible with OC. From the pathological point of view, these cysts can be unilocular or multilocular majority of which are mesothelial and lined by mesothelial and endothelial cells [13]. Most contain serous fluid leading to the misdiagnosis of ascites [9,13,14]. An accurate preoperative diagnosis of OCs is usually difficult and a correct preoperative diagnosis of OC has been reported in 1325% of cases. Clinicians dealing with these children should have a high index of suspicion and perform a careful physical examination. With the symptoms of peritoneal irritation and bilious vomiting, our preoperative diagnosis was a perforated appendicitis which turned out to be later on an OC after emergent surgical intervention. Radiological imaging modalities are helpful in diagnosing these cysts preoperatively. US has been reported as the initial tool in all the cases. If performed by an experienced radiologist, US has been reported to be the most reliable diagnostic modality for detecting these lesions [15]. Sonographic findings frequently include multiloculated, fluid filled and predominantly cystic lesions [9, 10, 16]. There were similar sonographic findings in our case preoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) may provide additional information about the exact extension, and interior properties of the lesion [9, 10, 16]. However because of exposed irradiation during CT and long time period and sedation needed for MRI, these diagnostic work-up tools should not be used routinely and their usage are recommended in suspect cases when needed. The preferred treatment of OC is complete excision and resection of the bowel is rare. Laparoscopic management and hand-assisted laparoscopic excision and aspiration has also been advocated by some authors [8, 17]. But it is stated that if it is found not to be benign, risk of spillage during laparoscopy should be kept in mind. Open surgical intervention has been suggested to avoid the risk of spreading the cyst contents [2]. No matter which type of surgical intervention is performed, total excision should be the goal for avoiding recurrence of these cystic masses. Other treatment options including aspiration, drainage and irradiation give poor results [12,18, 19, 20]. Injection of OK-432 or marsupialization have also been advocated for unresectable cysts [21, 22]. The main complication after surgical treatment is recurrence which has been reported to occur in 9.5% of patients especially when resection is incomplete [18]. Other complications include hemorrhage, torsion, infection, rupture and symptoms related to pressure effects of the cystic mass to adjacent structures. Despite limited follow-up period of 6 months there is no recurrence in our patient and she is disease free with an uneventful follow-up. During childhood period, OCs are rarely seen and can mimic other disease states. Surgical treatment, if performed early, can prevent life-threatening complications such as torsion, rupture, bleeding and infection. The possibility of this diagnosis should be kept in mind for the patients with acute abdominal symptoms and managed accordingly.