title: Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas with spontaneous rupture: report of a case.
abstract: Lymphangioma is a benign and congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. Most lymphangiomas are preferentially located in the head and neck region. The abdominal organs are uncommon sites of origin. Several cases of lymphangioma in abdominal organs were reported, however, the pancreas is one of the rarest origins. Generally, intra-abdominal lymphangioma is asymptomatic and found incidentally, but in some cases, the patient complains of abdominal distension or a palpable mass. We describe the case of a 38-year-old male who presented with sudden-onset upper abdominal pain. Rupture of a cystic tumor of the pancreatic head was suspected, based on the findings of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was undertaken. The tumor, which was 4 × 4.5 × 8 cm in size, was pathologically diagnosed as a cystic lymphangioma. In conclusion, pancreatic lymphangioma is mostly asymptomatic, a ruptured case causing 'acute abdomen' has never been reported. Since lymphangioma is benign, it could be observed with accurate diagnosis. The surgical indication would be limited to cases of symptomatic lymphangiomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hachinohe Shimin Hospital, Hachinohe, Japan.
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Fuyuhiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Motoi
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohtsuka
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuyama
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rikiyama
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Katayose
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Egawa
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asakura
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimosegawa
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unno