Rare case of retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma in an adult

Abstract

Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas occurs due to malformations of retroperitoneal lymphatic systems are extremely rare condition affecting adult patients. Lymphangiomas being benign congenital malformation of lymphatic system are usually diagnosed in children and young adults and mostly located in head, neck and axilla where the loose connective tissue surrounding the structures allow lymphatic channels to expand and assume large proportions. Less than 5% of all lymphangiomas occur intra-abdominally and of them <1% occur in the retroperitoneum. When present intraabdominally they generally present as diffuse lymphangiomatosis involving multiple organs such as liver, kidney, spleen, GI tract mesentery , mediastinum, bones and soft tissue. Hence solitary lymphangioma of retroperitoneum in an adult is a very rare tumor and very few cases have been documented. With this report we would like to share our experience in managing a female adult with a giant cystic lymphangioma of the retroperitoneum complicated with kyphosis.