GIANT OMENTAL CYST IN CHILDREN PRESENTING AS PSEUDOASCITES

An unusual case of omental cyst is described. During a period of 3 yea rs, a child was hospitalized seven times in five different hospitals f or evaluation of ascites of unknown origin. Extensive and repetitive d iagnostic workup did not reveal the cause of his problem, and recurren t paracentesis improved his condition partially, but for very short pe riods. A diagnostic laparoscopy, followed by explorative laparotomy, l ed to the correct diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment, with c omplete relief of his complaints.