Mesenteric Cyst Management and Diagnostic Approaches
Summary
Mesenteric cysts are rare, benign lesions arising within the mesentery of the gastrointestinal tract that pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Their clinical presentation ranges from incidental findings on imaging to acute abdomen caused by complications such as intestinal obstruction, torsion or infection. The gold-standard treatment remains complete surgical excision, which may be achieved by open laparotomy or increasingly by minimally invasive laparoscopy when anatomical relationships and surgeon expertise permit. Preoperative diagnosis relies on a combination of ultrasonography and cross-sectional imaging, predominantly computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to characterise cyst size, locularity and relationship to adjacent viscera. Histopathological examination confirms the diagnosis and subclassifies cysts by their endothelial or mesothelial lining, guiding prognostic expectations. Emerging evidence supports tailored management pathways that balance the risks of surgical intervention against the potential for spontaneous regression in selected lymphatic cysts. Multidisciplinary collaboration among radiologists, surgeons and pathologists underpins advances in early detection, procedural refinement and long-term follow-up to minimise recurrence and optimise patient outcomes.
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Mesenteric Cyst Management and Diagnostic Approaches publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in mesenteric cyst management and diagnostic approaches across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Mesenteric cyst: A rare benign fluid-filled cavity located within the mesentery, arising from lymphatic or mesothelial structures.
Chylous cyst: A subtype of mesenteric cyst containing milky chyle, derived from lymphatic channels.
Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical technique using small abdominal incisions, a camera and specialised instruments to perform intra-abdominal procedures.
Computed tomography (CT): A cross-sectional imaging modality employing X-rays to generate detailed tomographic images of internal structures, essential for cyst characterisation and surgical planning.
References
- Complete Surgical Enucleation of a Giant Chylous Mesenteric Cyst. Case Reports in Surgery (2020).
- A Case of Laparoscopic Mesenteric Cyst Excision. Case Reports in Surgery (2012).
- Cystic Lymphangioma of the Greater Omentum: A Case of Partial Spontaneous Regression and Review of the Literature. Case Reports in Surgery (2020).
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