[Diffuse retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomatosis]

A case of diffuse retroperitoneal lymphangiomatosis manifested by oedema of the left lower limb is reported. Non-invasive exploratory methods revealed a retroperitoneal pseudo-tumoral image. At laparotomy, a retro- and subperitoneal infiltration was discovered, and histology showed benign smooth muscle proliferation developed from the muscular layer of lymph vessels. There is no known successful surgical procedure for this type of lesion, and none of the treatments tested (oophorectomy or hormonal therapy) has proved to be effective.