Unusual presentation of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma.

A 3 year old child presented with hemorrhagic ascites of short duration. Based on clinical manifestation and investigations a differential diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis, pancreatic ascites or malignant ascites was considered. Laparotomy revealed a huge retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma confirmed by histopathology. The unusual presentation of retroperitoneal tumours as pseudoascites is discussed.