Abdominal cystic lymphangioma in a young female : a case report and literature review

Lymphangiomas are benign malformations of the lymphatic vessels, most commonly found in the head and neck region. They are typically observed in newborns and young children, especially those under two years of age, and are rare in adults.[1-3]

A 24-year-old woman with a history of congenital gastroschisis and surgery at a young age for post-necrotizing enterocolitis ileal stenosis, who presented with abdominal distension that had been increasing for 4 months. Physical examination showed diffuse tenderness and abdominal distension. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a large abdominopelvic liquid effusion estimated at 8 liters containing a few fine septa without hyperemia or calcifications. A complementary CT scan showed a liquid formation with thin septa measuring 14x24 cm, extending over 25 cm and pushing the small bowel and colon upward. The patient underwent surgery, Histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangioma.

The clinical features of CL in adults remain unclear. The diagnosis is only confirmed by histopathological examination after complete surgical resection [1] [2].

Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2025

• References

• 1 Characteristics of adult abdominal cystic lymphangioma: a single-center Chinese cohort of 12 cases BMC Gastroenterol. 20 (1) 2020; pp 1-8.
• 2 Shayesteh S., Salimian K.J., Fouladi D.F., Blanco A., Fishman E.K., Kawamoto S.. Intra-abdominal lymphangioma: a case report. Radiol. Case Rep. 16 (1) 2021; pp 123-127