Primary tumours of the mesentery and greater omentum

Diseases of mesentery and greater omentum are commonly the result of lymph mode metastases from an abdominal carcinoma, or lymph node involvement as part of a general lymphatic malignancy. Primary tumours are rare. Cysts occur predominantly in children. In addition, one may find mesenchymal benign or malignant tumours, which produce clinical symptoms at a larger age. Plain abdominal films, barium meals and angiograms fail to show evidence of a space-occupying lesion, or produce only indirect signs. Only ultrasound or CT can demonstrate these tumours directly. (orig.)