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Review
. 2009 May 19:7:47.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-7-47.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery: a case report and review of the literature

Georgios Metaxas  1 , Athanasios Tangalos, Polyxeni Pappa, Irene Papageorgiou
Affiliations
Review

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery: a case report and review of the literature

Georgios Metaxas et al. World J Surg Oncol. .

Abstract

Background: Mucinous cystic neoplasms arise in the ovary and various extra-ovarian sites. While their pathogenesis remains conjectural, their similarities suggest a common pathway of development. There have been rare reports involving the mesentery as a primary tumour site.

Case presentation: A cystic mass of uncertain origin was demonstrated radiologically in a 22 year old female with chronic abdominal pain. At laparotomy, the mass was fixed within the colonic mesentery. Histology demonstrated a benign mucinous cystadenoma.

Methods and results: We review the literature on mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery and report on the pathogenesis, biologic behavior, diagnosis and treatment of similar extra-ovarian tumors. We propose an updated classification of mesenteric cysts and cystic tumors.

Conclusion: Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the mesentery present almost exclusively in women and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of mesenteric tumors. Only full histological examination of a mucinous cystic neoplasm can exclude a borderline or malignant component. An updated classification of mesenteric cysts and cystic tumors is proposed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a, b): MR scan appearance of the cystic tumour (arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intra-operative appearance, medial view of the mesentery, inferion mesenteric vessels lying on the cyst surface.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Lateral view of mesentery, cyst enucleation in an avascular plane.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Microscopic appearance of the cyst wall, ovarian like stroma, epithelial lining.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Benign columnar mucinous epithelium lining of the cyst wall. Immunohistochemistry reveals stromal positivity for actin.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Immunohistochemistry, epithelial positivity for CK 7.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Immunohistochemistry, epithelial positivity for CA-125.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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