Abdominal cystic lymphangioma mimicking appendicitis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Abdominal Imaging
• Pathology

Background:

• Cystic lymphangiomas are rare intra-abdominal tumors in children.
• Symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, and anorexia are nonspecific.
• These symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis as common acute pediatric conditions.

Observation:

• Two pediatric cases of intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma are presented.
• Initial clinical presentation and treatment mimicked acute appendicitis.
• Diagnosis was confirmed only after surgical excision and pathological analysis.

Findings:

• Intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma can present insidiously in children.
• Nonspecific symptoms can lead to delayed diagnosis.
• Surgical excision and histopathology are crucial for definitive diagnosis.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of cystic lymphangioma is needed in pediatric abdominal emergencies.
• Consideration of rare diagnoses like cystic lymphangioma is important when common conditions are suspected.
• Accurate pathological diagnosis is essential for appropriate management of pediatric abdominal masses.