Cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery causing intestinal obstruction

Prabhakaran K, Patankar JZ, Loh DLSK, Ahamed Faiz Ali MA
Correspondence: Dr K Prabhakaran, surprabh@nus.edu.sg

ABSTRACT
Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma is a rare lesion that is not often described in the literature. A four-year-old boy, who presented with abdominal distension and pain, is reported. At surgery, a huge mesenteric cyst was found to be the cause of the intestinal obstruction and was completely excised. Histology was consistent with a cystic lymphangioma. Abdominal lymphangioma is a rare cause of bowel obstruction. Clinical presentation varies and may be misleading due to a lack of awareness of the clinical condition. Occasionally, the diagnosis is made during surgery. General awareness of this entity with a high index of suspicion is needed to avoid complications.

Keywords: abdominal lymphangioma, acute intestinal obstruction, cystic lymphangioma, lymphangioma, mesenteric lymphangioma
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(10): e265–e267