Meconium pseudocyst with particular pathologic findings: a case report and review of the literature

Meconium peritonitis is a sterile chemical peritonitis caused by bowel perforation with intraperitoneal extravasation of the meconium in utero. When the inflamed intestinal loops become fixed, meconium peritonitis leads to a cystic cavity with a fibrous wall, and the result is termed cystic-type meconium peritonitis. On the contrary, a meconium pseudocyst has a muscle layer continuous with the normal intestine and is distinguished from cystic-type meconium peritonitis based on the histopathologic findings.This report describes the rare case of a neonate complicated by a meconium pseudocyst, which was successfully treated with 1-stage resection and primary anastomosis. There have been few cases of meconium pseudocysts reported in the literature. Meconium peritonitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients who develop large abdominal cysts with air and fluid content.Cystic-type meconium peritonitis is usually treated using drainage with subsequent elective surgery. However, for a meconium pseudocyst, 1-stage intestinal resection with primary anastomosis may be recommended. A meconium pseudocyst may be treatable using 1-stage resection based on histopathologic features.