Giant Cystic Lymphangioma of the Mesentery Causing Ileus in an Adult: A Rare Case

Abstract

Mesenteric cystic lymphangiomas (MCLs) are rare benign tumours of abdomen and it is usually diagnosed in pediatric patients. It is very rare that an adult presents with cystic mesenteric lymphangioma. A 29-year-old man presented with ongoing abdominal pain, nausea and vomitting. On physical examination, there was distension on whole abdomen, but no palpable mass was detected. Computed tomography showed that there was a huge cystic mass, with the size of 22x20 cm, originating from ileal mesentery and the cystic mass was extanding till pelvis. Cystic mass was resected with the adjacent, approximately 25 cm, ileal segment. Histopathologic examination revealed the cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery. The clinical presentation is diverse, ranging from an incidentally discovered, asymptomatic abdominal cyst to life-threatening abdominal catastrophes. Preoperatif diagnosis is often impossible, since it has not a characterictic clinic presentation and radiologic imaging. Prognosis is perfect after complete resection. The most important factor in diagnosis is to keep the disease in mind in the evaluation of patients presenting with acute abdomen.