Cystic Lymphangioma of the Pancreas in an Eight-Year-Old Boy

Bhaisare S, Bhosale M, Iqbal A and Patil S

Published on: 2024-12-26

Abstract

Lymphangiomas are congenital benign tumors of the lymphatic system that arise as a result of blockage in lymphatic ducts. They often arise in head, neck, in or around the axilla and are rarely reported as mediastinal or intraperitoneal masses. Lymphangiomas arising from the pancreas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of the lymphangiomas. We report a case of cystic lymphangioma arising from pancreatic tail in an eight-year-old boy, who presented with upper abdominal pain and fullness in left hypochondrium. The cystic mass was completely excised. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the mass to be pancreatic cystic lymphangioma (PCL), which was unexpected. The child is asymptomatic on follow up of 2 years. Though rarely diagnosed preoperatively, this entity should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas, since complete surgical excision is curative.