title: Giant neoplastic omental cyst masquerading as ascites: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cystic lesion of the omentum and mesentery are rare. The incidence of both cyst types has been variously reported to vary from 1/27,000-100,000 hospital admission. Omental cysts occur three to ten times less frequently than mesenteric cyst. Preoperative diagnosis is infrequently made because of lack of characteristic symptoms and signs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present our diagnostic and management challenges in a 43-year-old man with an unusually giant omental cyst confirmed as fibrosarcoma at histology. The cyst gave the abdomen an anteroposterior diameter of about 74 cm that could not be penetrated sufficiently by X-ray photons to produce diagnostic image even at maximum attainable output. Patient benefited from surgical excision. The removed cyst contained about 35 litres of fluid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neglected omental cysts as in this case may grow to enormous size, undergo malignant transformation and poses serious diagnostic and surgical challenges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. garahman1@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ganiyu A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Adekunle Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Abdulkadir
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Olatoke
authors.forename: Stanley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uwaezuoke
authors.forename: Ibrahim F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Yusuf
authors.forename: Kolawole T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Braimoh