Lymphangiomas are rare benign cystic tumors caused by uncontrolled lymphatic growth. Most lymphangiomas arise in the axilla or neck. In approximately 1% of cases, lymphangiomas develop in the retroperitoneal space, characterized as a retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma.
These tumors can be asymptomatic, but often, due to their size and location, patients will present with a palpable abdominal mass, bowel obstruction, abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, ascites, or obstructive nephropathy from ureter compression. Asymptomatic cases can be found incidentally during surgery or autopsy.
The diagnosis of a cystic lymphangioma typically requires pathology, as the appearance of a complex cyst on cross-sectional imaging is not specific to these types of tumors.
Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma
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Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
D18.1 – Lymphangioma, any site
SNOMEDCT:
40225001 – Cystic lymphangioma
D18.1 – Lymphangioma, any site
SNOMEDCT:
40225001 – Cystic lymphangioma
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Last Reviewed:03/06/2018
Last Updated:03/06/2018
Last Updated:03/06/2018
Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma