Gossypiboma, Mimicking a Mesenteric Tumour: A Case Report

Gossypiboma refers to a retained surgical textile in body tissue and cavity after an operation. It is an infrequent and potentially preventable post-operative complication due to medical error. The presence of retained surgical material within the body tissue can incite an aseptic but fibroblastic reaction resulting in the formation of a chronic granuloma, which may present in the form of a pseudo-tumour several months to years after the surgical procedure. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with a painless intra-abdominal mass one year after undergoing myomectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroid in a private hospital. A presumptive diagnosis of the mesenteric tumour was made on the basis of pre- and intra-operative findings. However, the histopathological diagnosis confirmed a gossypiboma. This case highlights the need to consider gossypiboma as a differential diagnosis in post-operative patients presenting with intra-abdominal mass. The highly variable characteristics of this condition both clinically and radiologically warrant a high index of suspicion, early recognition, and prompt surgical intervention to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with it.