The diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma. Methods A retrospective study of clinical characteristics and imaging findings of pathologically proved cystic lymphangiomas in 7 adults (2 males and 5 females;mean age,51 years) was conducted,and comparisons were made between these findings and operative and pathological results.All the patients presented no special clinical manifestation.Ultrasonography and CT scan showed smoothly margined cystic masses ranging from 6 cm?7 cm to 20 cm?21 cm;some of them had septums, and the walls and septums could be partially enhanced. Preoperative definite diagnosis was made in only 1 case by CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of the lymphangioma; while the others were misdiagnosed as abdominal cavity cysts(2 cases)and retroperitoneal space-occupying cystic lesions(4 cases). Results Complete extirpation was performed in 6 cases,and subtotal cystectomy,in 1 case because of the liver and pancreas involvement by the tumor.Postoperatively,all the lesions were pathologically proved to be retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma.There was no recurrence during the follow-up of 9 months to 10 years,except for 1 case undergoing subtotal cystectomy who had local recurrence 5 months after operation. Conclusions Ultrasonography and CT are the most useful imaging modality for locating the site and determining the nature of lymphangioma . Surgical excision is the first choice for the treatment.