Large falciform ligament cyst in a child: A rare entity of peritoneal cysts and review of the literature

Abstract

Peritoneal cysts are not uncommon in children – mesenteric/omental cysts being the commoner entity. Peritoneal cysts in the falciform ligament are a very rare entity reported in the literature. We present a 5-year-old boy who presented with pain upper central abdomen and few episodes of non-bilious vomiting for 1 year. He was stable on examination, with abdominal examination revealing the fullness of the abdomen with palpable generalised cystic mass which was mobile transversely. Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed intra-peritoneal cystic lesion measuring 13 cm × 11.5 cm × 9 cm with septations seen in the abdominal cavity from the epigastric region to the infraumbilical region (D11-L5 level). Laparoscopy showed a large cyst of the abdomen arising from the anterior abdominal wall, along the falciform ligament. The dark yellow fluid was aspirated and the cyst was excised leaving a part which was adherent to the anterior wall. Histopathology revealed cuboidal epithelium lined by the fibrous wall. The patient is doing well at 6 months follow-up. Falciform ligament cysts are very rare and laparoscopy can confirm the diagnosis as well as help in excision of the cyst with good results.

Keywords

• falciform ligament
• mesenteric cysts
• peritoneal cysts
• peritoneum