Huge Retroperitoneal Lymphangioma Presenting With Duodenal Obstruction: a case report.

Abstract

lymphangiomas are benign tumors caused by the congenital proliferation of lymphatic tissue, causing an obstruction in the lymphatic ducts, producing fluid filled cysts (1). Histologically they are polycystic, with cysts divided by thin septas lined with endothelial cells. Most common presentation of cystic lymphangiomas are in the neck (75%) and axillary region (20%) and only 5% are intra-abdominal, while retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for only 1% of cases (2). It is more common in children with males affected more than women, while women have shown to encounter pancreatic lymphangiomas more than men (3). Often retroperitoneal lypmhangiomas are asymptomatic but due to their large size they might cause a wide variety of symptoms from mild abdominal distention/discomfort and back pain to duodenal obstruction, sepsis and DIC (4). Diagnostic techniques are ultrasound, CT scan and MRI but often it is found accidentally and definitive diagnosis is made post-operatively. Treatment of choice is complete surgical resection with cystectomy