Laparoscopic excision of a cystic vascular malformation of the sigmoid colon mesentery presenting as a retroperitoneal tumour - a video vignette.

Mesenteric tumours are quite rare and form a heterogeneous group of tumours. Most of the time they are found accidently on computed tomography (CT) causing only vague abdominal symptoms. These tumours can arise from any of the mesenteric components: vessels, peritoneum, lymphatic tissue, fat, and connective tissue [1]. Hemangiomas (malformations of the vessels) of the gastrointestinal tract are extremely rare. Those of mesenteric origin are even rarer [2]. Tumours are diagnosed with CT and complete surgical tumour resection is the gold standard for the treatment of mesenteric hemangiomas. Minimally invasive surgery is preferrable than open surgery, but carries a risk of tumour bleeding, especially in cases of huge intraabdominal masses [3].