Resection of an Asymptomatic Lymphangioma in a 76-Year-Old Male

Lymphangiomas are benign congenital malformation comprised of the lymphatic system. They typically present in the head, neck, and axillary regions of children with <1% being described in the small bowel mesentery. We report a case of a 76-year-old man who presented with incidental large (9x6 cm) multiloculated cystic mass in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) on a CT scan performed for nephrolithiasis. He was asymptomatic at the presentation. We performed a diagnostic laparoscopy which was converted to an open procedure due to the mesenteric mass extending deeply toward the mesenteric root. The depth of invasion required small bowel resection with primary side-to-side anastomosis. Pathology confirmed a lymphangioma of the small bowel mesentery with histopathological analysis and cytology negative for malignant cells. Lymphangiomas are benign masses, however, their complete resection, including the resection of the involved organs is necessary. Incomplete resection or drainage is no longer used in management due to high rates of recurrence. Mesenteric lymphangiomas, while typically benign congenital malformations, can progress and impact surrounding structures via mass effect. Definitive treatment of lymphangiomas, even when asymptomatic, should be complete resection.