title: A very rare case of duodenal hemolymphangioma presenting with iron deficiency anemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intraabdominal lymphangiomas account for less than 5% of all lymphangiomas and small intestinal hemolymphangioma is a very rare benign tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we describe the first case of primary ulcerated duodenal hemolymphangioma in a 24-year-old woman, causing occult bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. She presented with an unexplained refractory iron-deficiency anemia and gastroduodenoscopy revealed an ulcerated and polypoid lesion of the second portion of the duodenum. Partial resection of the duodenum was thus performed and the final pathological diagnosis was hemolymphangioma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were only two reports, one of a hemolymphangioma of the pancreas invading to the duodenum and another of a small intestinal hemolymphangioma, presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding until May 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aim of this case report is to highlight the difficulty in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis and describe the surgical management of an unusual location for a very rare tumor. To arrive at a definitive diagnosis and exclude malignancy, partial resection of the duodenum was considered to be the required treatment.
authors: General Surgery 2 Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: a.antonino@hotmail.it.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Antonino
authors: General Surgery 2 Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors: Eugenio
authors: E
authors: Gragnano
authors: General Surgery 2 Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Sangiuliano
authors: General Surgery 2 Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Rosato
authors: General Surgery 2 Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Maglio
authors: General Surgery 2 Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: De Palma
keywords: Anemia; Duodenum; Hemolymphangioma; Occult gastrointestinal bleeding; Small intestine