Giant Retroperitoneal Lymphangioma: a Rare Entity

Abstract

Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors, and the exact incidence of which is not well known. They usually arise from the developmental abnormalities of retroperitoneal lymphatics or their traumatic rupture. Confusion with other cystic tumors of the retroperitoneum including those arising from the kidney and pancreas is common. They usually lack specific symptoms and are mostly detected accidentally, while very rarely, some may present with complications such as rupture, torsion, hemorrhage, or infection. We report a case of a 22-year-old female in whom preoperative diagnosis of retroperitoneal lymphangioma was made on the basis of radiological investigations. On exploration, a large lymphangioma arising retroperitoneally was identified and excised. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Keywords: Cystic abdominal mass; Lymphangioma; Retroperitoneum; Surgical excision.

Fig. 1

a CECT abdomen showing a large retroperitoneal mass with displacement of bowel loops

Fig. 2

a Intraoperative image showing a cystic retroperitoneal lesion. b Intraoperative image of retroperitoneal cyst showing clear serous fluid