Author:
Abdulkadir Adekunle Y,Abdur-Rahman Lukman O
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Giant meconium cyst resulting from antenatal bowel perforation is rare and hardly reported in multiple gestations. We found only four documented cases in the electronic literature.
Case presentation
We report a giant meconium cyst in an 11-hour-old Nigerian boy of a discordant twin having ultrasonographic and plain radiographic diagnosis and surgical confirmation. Increasing abdominal girth from 35 cm to 41 cm within four hours of admission without ascites, pneumoperitneum and significant bowel distension make us assumed the meconium cyst to be "growing" in size. We reviewed the literature and proposed that where the fibrinous wall of meconium cyst allows for distensibility and the communication between the perforated bowel and meconium cyst persists, the meconium cyst acting as reservoir may continue to "grow" in size without remarkable intestinal distension probably, until the elastic limit is lost.
Conclusion
Meconium cyst can occur in twin pregnancy, grow to occupy the abdomen almost completely and may cause neonatal apnoea. The outcome is good post surgery.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference12 articles.
1. Bowen A, Mazer J, Zarabi M, Fujioka M: Cystic meconium peritonitis: ultrasonographic features. Pediatr Radiol. 1984, 14: 18-22. 10.1007/BF02386725.
2. Dirkes K, Crombleholme TM, Craigo SD, Latchaw LA, Jacir NN, Harris BH, et al: The natural history of meconium peritonitis diagnosed in utero. J Pediatr Surg. 1995, 30: 979-982. 10.1016/0022-3468(95)90325-9.
3. Pan EY, Chen LY, Yang JZ, Lee Z, Wang ZZ: Radiographic diagnosis of meconium peritonitis. A report of 200 cases including six fetal cases. Pediatr Radiol. 1983, 13: 199-205. 10.1007/BF00973156.
4. Kolawole TM, Bankole MA, Olurin EO, Familusi JB: Meconium peritonitis presenting as giant cysts in neonates. Br J Radiol. 1973, 46: 964-967. 10.1259/0007-1285-46-551-964.
5. Tseng JJ, Chou MM, Ho ES: Meconium peritonitis in utero: prenatal sonographic findings and clinical implications. J Chin Med Assoc. 2003, 66: 355-359.