Cystic pancreatic lymphangioma: a case report

Abstract

Background Lymphangiomas are benign vascular tumors arising from the lymphatic system. They commonly affect the head and neck regions. Pancreatic involvement is extremely rare. Even though they are rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis for patients who present with pancreatic mass. Case presentation We report the case of a 6-year-old African male patient who presented with abdominal mass and dull aching pain of 6 months duration. He was examined and underwent excision, with biopsy showing pancreatic lymphangioma. Conclusion These tumors are benign and slow growing and have potential to regress spontaneously. Thus, most literature agrees that surgical interventions should be reserved for symptomatic cases.

Large cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas: unusual finding with differential diagnosis and therapeutic considerations

“…If, as in our case, there is symptomatology due to the size of the cystic lymphangioma or there is a diagnostic dilemma concerning the nature of the lesion, surgical intervention is preferable. Surgical excision includes either simple cystectomy if feasible or more radical resections depending on the size of the lesion, its anatomic location within the pancreas and its relations with the adjacent organs [ 1 ]. In our case, the size of the pancreatic lymphangioma its location between the tail of the pancreas and the spleen as well as the diagnostic dilemma, contributed to the decision for distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy.…”

“…Lymphangiomas are rare benign tumours of lymphatic vascular origin [ 1 ]. They occur due to a local obstruction of the lymphatic flow causing lymphangiectasia [ 2 ].…”

Linfangioma Quístico del Páncreas. Un Tumor poco Frecuente

“…Aparte de sus localizaciones en tejido neural y ocular, se pueden desarrollar en cualquier órgano, de tal modo que se estima que el 95 % de los linfangiomas ocurren en cuello y regiones axilares, y el 5 % restante en el abdomen (mesenterio, retroperitoneo, vísceras) y el tórax (pulmón y mediastino) (Karajgikar & Deshmukh, 2019). Los linfangiomas quísticos del páncreas (LQP), son lesiones excepcionales, estimándose que representan el 1 % de los linfangiomas de localización abdominal y el 0,2 % de todas las lesiones pancreáticas (Fujii et al, 2018;Chen et al, 2018;Bal et al, 2021;Almeida et al, 2022;Assefa et al, 2023). Desde su primer reporte, realizado por Koch en 1913, se han publicado alrededor de 140 casos en la literatura mundial (Karajgikar & Deshmukh, 2019;Bal et al, 2021;Ray et al, 2021).…”

“…Aunque los LQP son benignos, pueden crecer e infiltrar órganos vecinos; por lo que el tratamiento curativo implica la escisión total de la lesión; pues si la escisión es incompleta, el LQP puede recidivar (Santes & Chan, 2016;Viscosi et al, 2018;Bal et al, 2021;Almeida et al, 2022;Assefa et al, 2023).…”