Symptomatic lymphangioma of the adrenal gland: a case report

Lymphangiomas (LAs) are rare benign tumors of the lymphatic vessels. In total, 95% of all reported LAs are located in the head, neck and the mediastinum. LAs of the adrenal gland are very rare and currently, only ~54 cases have been reported in literature. We present a case of a big left-sided adrenal LA. Abdominal imaging revealed a big cystic lesion in the left upper abdomen of unknown origin. For diagnostic and therapeutic reasons we performed explorative midline laparotomy. The left adrenal gland was found to be the origin of the cystic tumor. Hence, the patient underwent adrenalectomy in order to remove the intact cystic lesion. Diagnosis was then confirmed by histological examination. With adrenal LAs being a very rare entity, diagnosis is challenging and only little evidence exists on treatment options. We discuss diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical approaches concerning such cases and provide an overview of the current literature.