title: [Mesenteric cyst--clinical and pathological aspects].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic and therapeutic characteristics of the mesenteric cysts in hospitals of Sergipe, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mesenteric cysts were assessed by a non-interventional cross-sectional study from the archives of the Pathology Laboratory of Federal University of Sergipe between 1995 and 2007. The charts of the patients were reviewed in order to find out: gender, age, clinical findings, complementary exams and therapeutic approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen cases of mesenteric cysts were found. Females were more affected (72.2%). Mean of age of the patients was 30.46. More frequent symptoms were pain and abdominal mass. Ultrasonography of abdomen, performed in all patients, was not conclusive in half of the cases. CTscan of abdomen with contrast was performed in six cases, being cystic tumor well identified in all of them. Regarding histopathology, 6 lymphangiomas, 8 mesotheliomas, 1 hemorrhagic cyst in organization and 1 mucinous cyst were found. Surgical treatment was performed in all cases. Intracystic bleeding was the main complication in 3 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mesenteric cysts presented clinically with unspecific symptoms. CTscan was more effective than ultrasonography for the diagnosis. Lymphangiomas and mesothelioma had been found in equal ratios. The complete resection of the cyst was the treatment of election. There were no deaths in postoperative period.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, BR.
authors.forename: Wagner Barreto de
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Wendell Luiz Santos
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Poderoso
authors.forename: José Antonio Barreto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Valdinaldo Aragão de
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Celso de
authors.initials: Cd
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fakhouri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008639:Mesenteric Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult