A Rare Case of Giant Mesenteric Lipoblastoma in a 6-Year-Old Child and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Giant mesenteric lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumor arising from the adipocytes. It can mimic malignant tumors, and its diagnosis is difficult before surgery. Imaging studies could lead the diagnosis but not confirm it. Those tumors arising in the abdomen are usually larger and can cause symptoms of compression. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, and a long-term follow-up is necessary to detect local recurrences. Only a few cases of lipoblastomas arising from the mesentery are reported in literature. We present a case of a rare giant lipoblastoma arising from the mesentery of a 6-year-old girl, with a history of postprandial abdominal pain.

Diagnosis and treatment of benign adipocytic tumors in children

“…Depending on their location, adipocytic tumors can be associated with other manifestations such as dysraphism [ 2 ], abdominal pain or distension and bowel obstruction with intra-abdominal lesions [ 10 , 11 ] or inguinoscrotal syndrome, as observed in this case series. Two patients presented anorectal malformations, one of them with a perineal lipoma and the other with a lipoma of the filum terminale, similar to previous reports [ 2 ].…”

“…The most frequently described locations are trunk and extremities. Nevertheless, there are several reports describing lesions with compromise of scrotum, inguinal region, axilla, neck, parotid region, retroperitoneum, mediastinum, omentum [ 9 , 12 ] and mesentery [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…In the present study reported recurrence rate was low, as had been described in the literature for lipomas, corresponding to less than 5% of the cases [ 12 ]. However, for lipoblastomas they can range from 9 to 46% [ 1 , 10 ] and up to 80% in patients with incomplete resections [ 9 ]. Some locations, such as inguinal region or intramuscular tumors can be associated with greater recurrence rates [ 1 , 2 ].…”

Lipoblastoma as a cause of secondary omental torsion in children: report of the first case

“…They are more common in males, with a peak incidence below 3 years of age. Lipoblastomas most commonly occur at the limbs followed by abdomen, head and neck [ 7 , 8 ]. Occasionally, they can arise as an abdominal mass from the retroperitoneum involving the mesentery or the omentum.…”

“…Occasionally, they can arise as an abdominal mass from the retroperitoneum involving the mesentery or the omentum. When arising in the abdomen, they are usually larger and can cause symptoms of compression or leading to intussusception [ 7 ]. Histologically, lipoblastoma is a well-defined entity and differential diagnosis includes lipoma, myxoid liposarcoma and differentiated liposarcoma.…”