Giant Retroperitoneal Lymphangioma: a Rare Entity

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Vascular Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas are rare, benign tumors originating from lymphatic system abnormalities.
• Their exact incidence is unknown, and they are often mistaken for other retroperitoneal cystic masses.
• Symptoms are typically absent, leading to incidental discovery, though complications like rupture can occur.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of retroperitoneal lymphangioma diagnosed preoperatively via radiological imaging.
• To describe the successful surgical management and postoperative outcome of a large retroperitoneal lymphangioma.

Main Methods:

• A 22-year-old female patient presented with an incidentally discovered retroperitoneal mass.
• Radiological investigations were used for preoperative diagnosis.
• Surgical exploration and complete excision of the retroperitoneal lymphangioma were performed.

Main Results:

• Preoperative diagnosis of retroperitoneal lymphangioma was confirmed through imaging.
• A large retroperitoneal lymphangioma was successfully identified and surgically removed.
• The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.

Conclusions:

• Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas, though rare, can be diagnosed with radiological investigations.
• Surgical excision is an effective treatment for symptomatic or large retroperitoneal lymphangiomas.
• Complete resection leads to favorable outcomes, as demonstrated by this case.