Background: Intra-abdominal cystic lymphangiomas are rare and usually present as benign large cystic masses. The treatment of choice of mesenteric and retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas is surgical resection.
Methods: Seventeen adults, 11 male and 6 female, with a median age of 39 years were investigated. Presentation, treatment, and outcomes of the mesenteric and retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas were analyzed.
Results: The most common symptom was abdominal pain. The median tumour size was 12.0 cm in diameter. Patients with retroperitoneal lymphangiomas were younger (p=0.043). However, 4 out of 8 patients with the mesenteric type required bowel resection (p=0.064). Magnetic resonance imaging allowed a good differentiation of cystic and septal structures. No postoperative complications occurred, but patients with mesenteric types had longer postoperative stays (7.0 vs. 13.5 days; p<0.001). The long-term outcome of both groups was satisfactory.
Conclusions: The surgical results were good with symptom relief. Bowel resection was common in mesenteric cystic lymphangiomas. Because of its higher resolution, magnetic resonance imaging is suggested.
Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.