Benign mesenteric lipomatous tumor in a child: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Lipomatous tumors are the most common type of soft-tissue tumors. Benign lipomatous tumors are lipomas and lipoblastoma. We herein report a case of benign mesenteric lipomatous tumor and the largest collection of known benign mesenteric lipomatous tumors in children in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old girl presented with repeated dull abdominal pain and left abdominal mass swelling. On a physical examination, the child had a soft, moderately distended left abdomen that was not tender when palpated. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large fatty mass within the mesentery, measuring approximately 8 × 6 cm. The mass extended from the right upper quadrant to the lower pole of the kidneys. Laparotomy with resection of the mesenteric tumor was performed under general anesthesia. A well-capsuled tumor was a soft, yellow mass and found loosely attached to the mesenterium of the ileum. A histopathological examination demonstrated the lobular proliferation of mature adipocytes. Atypical lipoblasts were not seen. These features are compatible with benign lipomatous tumor, such as lipoma or lipoblastoma with maturation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, benign mesenteric lipomatous tumors tend to be large in size over 10 cm in longitudinal length. However, resection is well tolerated in the vast majority of cases with benign post-operative courses.