Intestinal cystic lymphangioma

A 7-year-old girl, coming from a rural area in Cameroon, presented to the emergency department with a 3-months history of abdominal pain. Her family also reported vomiting and minimal food intake for two weeks. Physical examination showed a palpable and mobile abdominal mass. An ultrasound showed a large intrabdominal multicystic lesion of about 10cm, close to the intestine and with no solid lesions in other organs. A laparotomy was scheduled and a mobile mass dependent on the jejunum was found. The mass caused an intestinal obstruction and was composed of several large cysts with whitish fluid. Excision of the mass and resection of a short segment of small bowel were performed. Intestinal cystic lymphangioma is a rare congenital malformation that normally presents with abdominal pain and distension. Abdominal ultrasonography is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis. Intestinal resection and anastomosis (while the cyst is normally intimate attached to the bowel) is an effective treatment.