title: Clinical Analysis of Intraperitoneal Lymphangioma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intraperitoneal lymphangioma (IL) used to be thought of as a benign lymphatic malformation with a low rate of preoperative diagnosis. This retrospective study aimed to explore the connection between the cysts and clinical manifestation and imaging characteristics, and to study diagnostic confusion, therapeutic principles and potential recurrent reasons, to further enhance the comprehension of this rare disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we retrospectively reviewed 21 patients diagnosed with IL. Age, sex, complaints, physical findings, and imaging features of each patient were documented. The therapies, postoperative complications and treatments were discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptomatology included eight patients (38%) with intermittent dull pain in the abdomen, and three patients (14%) complained of abdominal persistent pain. The physical examination revealed an abdominal mass in 16 patients (76%), and eight (38%) were reported no discomfort. IL was correctly established preoperatively in 19 patients (90%). Patients were treated using laparotomy, except one who was treated with laparoscopy. Two recurrences were noted during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL should be suspected in any patient with a mobile abdominal mass and surgery is required immediately after discovery of the tumor.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Kang-Sheng
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Chang-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors.forename: Ying-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult