Intra-abdominal lymphangiectatic cysts: an uncommon abdominal lesion in children and young adults

Three patients with intra-abdominal lymphangiectatic cysts, with details of their clinical radiologic, and pathologic findings, provide examples of the diverse and confusing clinical manifestations of this uncommon lesion. Their diversity is largely the result of their variable size and location within the mesentery, omentum, or mesocolon. Radiologic examination provides the greatest aid in preoperative diagnosis, and is useful in differentiation from ascites and other abdominal lesions. The characteristic histologic appearance of lymphangiectatic cysts provides their ultimate classification.