Chylous mesenteric cysts in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of chylous mesenteric cysts (CMCs) in children.

METHODS

We analyzed retrospectively the clinical records of 10 children with a CMC, treated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, between 1987 and 2008.

RESULTS

This series comprised five girls and five boys. The CMC manifested as abdominal distention (n = 9), acute abdomen (n = 8), or an asymptomatic abdominal mass (n = 1), and included five mesojejunal cysts and five mesoileal cysts. Intestinal volvulus occurred in four patients with mesoileal cysts and acute chylous effusion occurred in two patients with mesojejunal cysts. All ten children were treated surgically. The cystic content was positive for Sudan III staining and the chylous test.

CONCLUSIONS

Chylous mesenteric cysts manifest as an abdominal mass, abdominal distention, and/or acute abdomen more often in children than in adults. The clinical presentation suggests some association with the localization of the cysts. A good prognosis can be expected with removal of the cyst and the affected intestinal segment.