A rare case of giant mesenteric cystic lymphangioma of the small bowel in an adult: A case presentation and literature review

Background : Lymphangiomas are tumours that are often found in the head and neck in children and, rarely, in adults. Among all lymphangiomas in adults, the small bowel mesentery type accounts for less than 1%. We aim to present a rare case of small bowel symptomatic cystic lymphangioma in an adult patient, as well as its diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Patient : An adult female who was admitted to the University Clinical Center Tuzla for surgery presented with abdominal pain, tenderness and swelling of the abdomen. A giant cystic small bowel mesentery lymphangioma, which was histopathologically confirmed, was enucleated during open surgery. Conclusion : Timely diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition are crucial. Although benign in nature, mesenteric lymphangiomas may cause significant morbidity or mortality due to their huge size and critical locations. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2016, 79, 491-493).