Introduction.

Mesenteric cysts are rare and usually benign tumors, which are diagnosed incidentally, mainly in children.

Clinical case.

We present the case of a 4-year-old patient, with difficulty accessing health services due to the location of her home, who has a 2-year history of progressive abdominal distension, interpreted and managed as ascites. An abdominal tomography was performed in which a giant cystic lesion was documented. She underwent resection by laparotomy, with histopathological confirmation of a mesenteric cyst.

Discussion.

Mesenteric cysts can have any location in the mesentery of the gastrointestinal tract. Its main etiology is the abnormal and benign proliferation of mesenteric lymphatic tissue. Clinical manifestations range from the absence of symptoms to an acute abdomen. Non-acute abdominal symptoms include a painless abdominal mass, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and clinical signs that mimic ascites. Complete resection of the mesenteric cyst is considered the treatment of choice; laparoscopic or open approach will depend on the clinical characteristics of each patient and the experience of the treating surgeon.

Conclusion.

It is important for surgeons to know the main characteristics and management of this entity, which once present, can mimic an ascites syndrome.

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