Abdominal Cystic Lymphangioma

Lee, Jin Hyung; Choi, Soon Ok; Park, Woo Hyun

Abstract

Abdominal cystic lymphangiomas arising from the mesentery, omentum and retroperitoneum are rare and occasionally confused with other cause of acute abdomen. Sixteen children who underwent surgery for abdominal cystic lymphangioma between 1984 and 2005 at the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center were evaluated retrospectively. There were 9 boys and 7 girls. Age ranged from 12 days to 13 years (mean age : 4.7years). The cysts were located in the omentum (4 cases),mesentery (9 cases : jejunum : 3, colon : 6). retroperitoneum (2 cases) and pelvic cavity (one case). The cyst content was hemorrhagic (8 cases), serous (5 cases), and inflammatory (2 cases), and chyle (one). Prenatal diagnosis was made in 3. The clinical features were variable, but abdominal pain, mass, and abdominal distention in order. There were 3 emergency operations in patients with complicated cyst, who were suspected of having panperitonitis and volvulus preoperatively. Complete excision was accomplished in all cases. There was one mortalityin a newborn with E.coli sepsis. Intestinal obstruction developed in 2 cases in long-term follow-up. No recurrence was observed. Although intraabdominal lymphangioma arising from mesentery, omentum and retroperitoneum are rare, it should be considered as a possible cause of acute abdomen.