A Case of an Omphalomesenteric Duct Remnant that was Diagnosed Preoperatively and Resected Laparoscopically

Abstract

The patient was a 12-year-old boy with a history of hospitalization for abdominal pain of unknown origin. One week earlier, he had lower abdominal pain, which worsened and brought him to the emergency department. He had tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a cystic lesion extending from the right lower abdomen to the umbilicus, with torsion of the mesentery. Small intestinal torsion associated with an omphalomesenteric duct remnant (omphalomesenteric duct cyst) was suspected. A laparotomy was performed, and the small intestine around the umbilical intestinal cyst that was twisted 180 degrees in a counterclockwise direction as diagnosed preoperatively was removed. After dissection of the cyst under the peritoneum, the umbilical skin was excised. The patient was discharged from the hospital 13 days after the surgery.

Although omphalomesenteric duct remnants other than Meckel's diverticulum, such as an omphalomesenteric duct cyst, are rare, it is necessary to recognize them in the differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant abdominal pain in children, and laparoscopic surgery is useful after close examination when suspected.