Cystic Lymphangioma of the Stomach: A case report

Cystic lymphangiomas of the stomach are extremely rare. These usually present as asymptomatic, polypoid lesion consisting of cystically dilated lymphatic vessels, which are submucosal in location. We report a case of cystic lymphangioma of the stomach. The patient is a 55 year-old woman who has complained of dull pain on epigastrium for 10 years. The mass measures 6x5 cm in cross diameter and is mainly located in the subserosal layer along lesser curvature. Microscopically, the tumor reveals a large number of dilated lymphatic cysts containing serous fluid, lined by a layer of flattened endothelial cells. Ultrastructurally, lining endothelial cells show thin discontinuous basal lamina, in contrast to normal lymphatics.