Intra-Abdominal Cystic Lymphangioma: Report of 21 Cases

Studying in a retrospective review of 21 cases, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma (CL). Methods: Between 1992 and 2014, 21 patients were operated at our institution for a CL. Clinical presentation, location, surgical management and outcome were studied. Results: There were 14 women and 7 men. All CL were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound and/or abdominal CT scan. The most common site was the retroperitoneum (24%) followed by equally by the mesentery, the mesocolon and abdominal wall. Surgical treatment consisted of a complete resection of cyst in 20 patients. This resection required a splenectomy in one case for a splenic location and digestive resection in 2 cases. Two cases of recurrence of CL were revealed. The first case was a result of partial resection, but the second case occurred in a patient who underwent a total cystectomy. These patients were asymptomatic, so we decided to monitor them. Conclusion: CL in adult is a rare disease. The preoperative diagnostic has benefited from the contribution of imaging mainly ultrasound and CT scan, treatment consisted of surgical complete excision to prevent recurrences.