Giant Cystic Lymphangioma of the Transverse Mesocolon in a 7-Year-Old Child: A Case Report.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Benadir University, Mogadishu, Somalia.
- 2Department of Surgery, Welcare Specialty Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.
- 3Department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Welcare Specialty Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.
- 4Department of Anaesthesia and Reanimation, Welcare Specialty Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.
- 5Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Welcare Specialty Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.
Abstract
Background
Cystic lymphangiomas are rare benign lymphatic malformations that are usually diagnosed in early childhood. Intra-abdominal lesions are uncommon, and involvement of the transverse mesocolon is particularly rare.Case presentation
A 7-year-old girl presented with a 3-4 week history of vomiting, abdominal pain, progressive abdominal distension, poor appetite, abdominal fullness, generalized weakness, and irregular bowel movements. Examination revealed a large, well-defined, irregular, non-tender abdominal mass measuring approximately 12 × 10 x 12 cm and extending from the right flank to the pubic region. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable. Preoperative imaging demonstrated a large multiloculated cystic intra-abdominal mass, initially interpreted as an ovarian cyst, but the precise site of origin was not established. Exploratory laparotomy identified a giant multiloculated cystic lesion arising from the transverse mesocolon and extending toward the greater curvature of the stomach. Complete excision was achieved without bowel resection. Histopathological examination confirmed cystic lymphangioma. Recovery was uncomplicated, and no recurrence was observed during 8 months of follow-up.Conclusion
Mesocolonic cystic lymphangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a large multiloculated intra-abdominal cystic mass in a child, including an older child, even when imaging suggests an adnexal lesion. This case highlights the difficulty of determining the site of origin of very large cystic lesions preoperatively and supports complete excision when technically feasible for definitive diagnosis and local disease control.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{awale2026giant,
title = {{Giant Cystic Lymphangioma of the Transverse Mesocolon in a 7-Year-Old Child: A Case Report.}},
author = {Mohamed Abdullahi Awale and Mariam Hassan Ali and Intisar Ahmed Abdi and Mikail Mohamed Mohamoud and Abdirahman Omar Ahmed and Abdirahman Dahir Hayle and Abdullahi Farah Asseyr},
journal = {International medical case reports journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/imcrj.s627784},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898920},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Giant Cystic Lymphangioma of the Transverse Mesocolon in a 7-Year-Old Child: A Case Report.
AU - Mohamed Abdullahi Awale
AU - Mariam Hassan Ali
AU - Intisar Ahmed Abdi
AU - Mikail Mohamed Mohamoud
AU - Abdirahman Omar Ahmed
AU - Abdirahman Dahir Hayle
AU - Abdullahi Farah Asseyr
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - International medical case reports journal
DO - 10.2147/imcrj.s627784
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898920
AB - Background Cystic lymphangiomas are rare benign lymphatic malformations that are usually diagnosed in early childhood. Intra-abdominal lesions are uncommon, and involvement of the transverse mesocolon is particularly rare.Case presentation A 7-year-old girl presented with a 3-4 week history of vomiting, abdominal pain, progressive abdominal distension, poor appetite, abdominal fullness, generalized weakness, and irregular bowel movements. Examination revealed a large, well-defined, irregular, non-tender abdominal mass measuring approximately 12 × 10 x 12 cm and extending from the right flank to the pubic region. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable. Preoperative imaging demonstrated a large multiloculated cystic intra-abdominal mass, initially interpreted as an ovarian cyst, but the precise site of origin was not established. Exploratory laparotomy identified a giant multiloculated cystic lesion arising from the transverse mesocolon and extending toward the greater curvature of the stomach. Complete excision was achieved without bowel resection. Histopathological examination confirmed cystic lymphangioma. Recovery was uncomplicated, and no recurrence was observed during 8 months of follow-up.Conclusion Mesocolonic cystic lymphangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a large multiloculated intra-abdominal cystic mass in a child, including an older child, even when imaging suggests an adnexal lesion. This case highlights the difficulty of determining the site of origin of very large cystic lesions preoperatively and supports complete excision when technically feasible for definitive diagnosis and local disease control.
SN - 1179-142X
ER -