Giant mesenteric lymphangioma: a rare cause of a life-threatening complication in an adult.
Mesenteric cyst lymphangiomas (MCLs) are rare benign tumours of unknown aetiology seen mostly in children. Clinical presentation can be diverse ranging from incidental abdominal cysts to an acute abdomen. A 24-year-old previously fit and healthy young man presented with a 2-week history of cramping, central abdominal pain and vomiting requiring acute hospital admission. He was a diagnostic conundrum despite extensive preoperative investigations. Recurring symptoms required urgent surgical exploration, resection and histological confirmation with a successful outcome. We review the literature and present here this rare case in an adult of MCL that has the potential to grow, invade and develop major life-threatening complications.
Department of General Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, UK. sk_sid@hotmail.com
Khurram
K
Siddique
Santosh
S
Bhandari
Sanjoy
S
Basu
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D016638:Critical Illness; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008639:Mesenteric Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008643:Mesentery / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D035583:Rare Diseases; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult