Sepsis presenting as bowel obstruction: A case report

Mesenteric lymphatic malformations are rare, benign tumors of unknown etiology, most commonly found in children. There are fewer than 200 cases of intraabdominal mesenteric lymphatic malformations reported in the literature. Management of these lesions can include observation, medical management, or surgical resection. Sepsis is a common cause of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit with Escherichia coli being a common causative gram-negative organism. This case discusses a patient with a left-sided abdominal mesenteric lymphatic malformation who was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with septic shock and eventual multisystem organ failure secondary to E coli.