An unexpected intrabdominal discovery: a mesenteric desmoid tumor with small bowel obstruction. Case report and literature review

Abstract

This case report describes a 54-year-old man who presented with abdominal discomfort, nausea, early satiety, and constipation. A CT scan revealed a large mass infiltrating the mesentery and close to bowel loops, raising suspicion of intestinal sub-occlusion. Urgent surgery was performed, resulting in a segmental jejunum resection to remove the identified mesenteric mass. Histological examination revealed a diagnosis of desmoid fibromatosis which is a rare type of soft tissue tumor with borderline malignancy that can cause bowel obstruction when it develops intra-abdominally. It is often associated with genetic predispositions and risk factors such as previous surgery and pregnancy. The case highlights the importance of considering a patient's surgical history when encountering desmoid fibromatosis to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.