Journal List > Korean J Gastroenterol > v.66(3) > 1007420

Hong, Cha, Lee, Joo, Baek, Shin, Jeon, and Lim: A Case of Cavernous Lymphangioma of the Small Bowel Mesentery

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.

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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.
kjg-66-172f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Laparoscopic exploration demonstrates mesenteric fat thickening and cystic mass.
kjg-66-172f2.tif
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.
kjg-66-172f3.tif
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).
kjg-66-172f4.tif
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