INTRODUCTION

BCM of peritoneum is a rare tumor in children. It is commonly found in the pelvis of adult women.[1] It was first described in 1979 and few pediatric cases have been reported.[2,3] We here-in report another case of BCM which simulated mesenteric cyst preoperatively

CASE REPORT

A 9-year-old girl, who had history of mild intermittent pain abdomen, presented with exacerbation of symptoms and vomiting for the last one day. On examination, there was tenderness in the right iliac region and an ill defined lump was palpated in lower abdomen. Routine blood investigations were within normal limits. Ultrasonography abdomen showed a large cystic mass, measuring 14x5.6cm in retroperitoneum and extending to the pelvis, suggestive of retroperitoneal cyst. CECT abdomen showed a cyst 15x7 cm in size in right lumbar, epigastric, and umbilical regions. It was interpreted as mesenteric cyst (Fig.1A). At laparotomy, a cystic mass adherent to the transverse colon, omentum, and loops of the small bowel, was found (Fig.1B). It was arising from the peritoneum. The lesion was carefully dissected out from the omentum and surfaces of small and large bowel. Histopathologic examination showed cyst lined by cuboidal hyperplastic mesothelial cells with underlying fibro-collagenous wall showing lymphocytic infiltrates. Attached omental tissue showed chronic inflammatory infiltrates. It was consistent with the diagnosis of benign mesothelioma. Immunohistochemistry confirmed it as BCM (Fig.2A,B). Patient is on follow-up with no recurrence at 18 months after discharge

[Figure ID: F1] Figure 1:(A) CECT abdomen, (B) Peroperative picture.

[Figure ID: F2] Figure 1: (A) Histopathological slide, (B) Immunohistochemistry showing calretinin positive slide.

DISCUSSION

BCM of the peritoneum is a rare localized tumor arising from the epithelial and mesenchymal elements of the mesothelial cells.[1] Most commonly it arises from the pelvic retroperitoneum. BCM has mostly been described in women with a median age at presentation of 36 year.[1] Most BCMs are diagnosed incidentally, others present as a localized mass or abdominal pain.[4,5]

The preoperative diagnosis of benign cystic mesothelioma is difficult because of the nonspecific imaging. Based on its predominant multicystic nature, cystic lymphangiomatous malformation has been suggested as the leading alternate condition in the differential diagnosis. Similarly in the index case, the preoperative diagnosis was mesenteric cyst. Immunohistochemistry has been used in differentiation of this entity from a cystic lymphatic malformations of the abdomen.[3,6] The pathogenesis of BCM is also controversial, and thought to be a peritoneal response to chronic irritation or a developmental anomaly of the peritoneal layer

The only effective treatment of BCM is complete excision of the cyst although recurrence is as high as 75%.[1,4] Other treatment methods used in adult patients are hormonal therapy, laser ablation, chemotherapy, and image-guided percutaneous drainage, and sclerotherapy.[7] Malignant transformation is rarely reported in literature.[5] To conclude, BCM should be kept in differential of cystic abdominal mass in children. Although rare, patients should be followed throughout life because of the risk of recurrence

Footnotes

Authors' Contribution: All authors contributed equally in concept, literature review, and drafting of the manuscript and approved the final version of this manuscript.

Consent for Publication: Authors have submitted signed consent form from legal guardians of the patient for use of clinical material in this manuscript. The Consent form is available with Editorial office.

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared