Korean J Gastroenterol.  2015 Sep;66(3):172-175. 10.4166/kjg.2015.66.3.172.

A Case of Cavernous Lymphangioma of the Small Bowel Mesentery

• Hong IT
• Cha JM
• Lee JI
• Joo KR
• Baek IH
• Shin HP
• Jeon JW
• Lim JU

• KMID: 2373335
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2015.66.3.172

Abstract

Lymphangioma is a benign vascular lesion with characteristics of subepithelial tumor which can proliferate in the lymphatic system. Lymphangioma of the small-bowel mesentery is rare, having been reported in less than 2% of all lymphangiomas. Lymphangioma does not require any specific treatment because it is absolutely a benign tumor. However, surgical exploration is rarely required for cases with disease-related symptoms or complications, or for those misdiagnosed as a malignant lesion. We recently experienced a case of mesenteric cavernous lymphangomas in a 53-year-old female who was misdiagnosed as having a liposarcoma. The final diagnosis was confirmed by a pathologic examination of the specimen that was obtained via laparoscopic exploration. Herein, we report a very rare case of mesenteric cavernous lymphangioma along with a brief review of relevant literature.

Keyword

Lymphangioma; Mesentery; Intestine, small; Neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Intestine, Small/pathology
Laparoscopy
Lymphangioma/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery
Mesentery/pathology
Middle Aged
Peritoneal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Abdominal CT findings. (A) Initial CT shows 1.3 cm sized soft tissue mass (arrow) in small bowel mesentery. (B) Follow-up CT shows increased size of the lesions from 1.3 to 2 cm (arrowheads) compared with previous CT scan performed 7 months ago.

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  Fig. 2. Laparoscopic exploration demonstrates mesenteric fat thickening and cystic mass.

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  Fig. 3. Gross finding of resected specimen. Gross pathologic examination reveals a 3.5×1.5×1.2 cm sized mass composed of various- sized cysts.

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  Fig. 4. Microscopic findings. (A) There are many dilated lymphatic vessels lined by a single layer of endothelium (H&E, ×40). (B) Dilated lymphatic vessels are filled with proteinaceous fluid (H&E, ×100). (C) The lining cells are positive for D2–40 (immunohistochemical stain, ×100).

Reference

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