Cystic lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors involving the neck, head, and axilla, and most frequently occur in children before the age of 5 years. In the present study, the case of a giant cystic lymphangioma originating in the cardia of the stomach was reported in an 18-year-old female complaining of abdominal distention. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a large, multilobulated cystic mass located between the cardia and esophagogastric junction with a diameter of 4.0 cm. The lesion was successfully removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis of the lymphatic endothelium-specific O-linked sialoglycoprotein D2-40 confirmed the diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma. No complications associated with the tumor dissection occurred, and the patient did not report any further complaints or any signs of recurrence at 6- and 18-month follow-up. The present case demonstrates that a diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma should be considered in non-pediatric patients suffering aspecific abdominal complaints.
Keywords: cardia; cystic lymphangioma; endoscopic submucosal dissection.