Giant lipoma of the mesentery: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

A patient with a huge mesenteric lipoma is discussed. A review of the literature reveals that there are less than 30 reported cases and consequently this diagnosis is rarely made preoperatively. An upper gastrointestinal series with a small bowel follow-through and a mesenteric arteriogram may suggest this condition. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, since these large tumors may undergo malignant degeneration.