Laparoscopic excision of a large retroperitoneal lymphovascular malformation in an adult

• Published in: Journal of minimal access surgery Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 66 - 68
• Main Authors: Suryawanshi, Pravin, Agrawal, Mohit, Rathod, Mukesh, Mandhane, Anirudha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-01-2017; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Excision (Surgery); Laparoscopic; Laparoscopy; lymphangioma; Lymphatic diseases; lymphovascular malformation; Methods; Patient outcomes; retroperitoneum; Unusual Case; Vascular diseases; lymphangioma; Laparoscopic; retroperitoneum; lymphovascular malformation
• ISSN: 0972-9941; 1998-3921
• DOI: 10.4103/0972-9941.181773

Retroperitoneal lymphangioma is a rare benign tumour of the retroperitoneal lymphatics that usually manifests in infancy. It is worth reporting of an unexpected presentation, especially in an adult. They frequently affect the neck (75%) and the axilla (20%). Intra-abdominal lymphangiomas (<5%) have been reported in the mesentery, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, liver and pancreas. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for nearly 1% of all lymphangiomas and are uncommon incidental findings usually at surgery, autopsy or lymphography. Differentiating cystic lymphangiomas from other cystic growths by imaging studies alone is often inconclusive, and surgery is frequently required for definitive diagnosis. An interesting and rare case of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma in an adult patient which was removed laparoscopically is described here.