Cystic lymphangioma of the gallbladder is quite a rare tumor with only a few cases having been reported in the literature. We describe here a rare case of cystic lymphangioma of the gallbladder, which was unusual in that the patient presented with biliary pain and an abnormal liver test. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a multi-septated cystic mass in the gallbladder fossa and an adjacent compressed gallbladder. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed there was no communication between the bile tract and the lesion, and there were no other abnormal findings with the exception of a laterally compressed gallbladder. After performing endoscopic sphincterotomy, a small amount of sludge was released from the bile duct. The histological findings were consistent with a cystic lymphangioma originating from the subserosal layer of the gallbladder. This unusual clinical presentation of a gallbladder cystic lymphangioma was attributed to biliary sludge, and this was induced by gallbladder dysfunction that was possibly from compression of the gallbladder due to the mass.
Adult ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Lymphangioma, Cystic/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cystic lymphangioma is an uncommon disease, and rarely develops in the intraabdomen. The aim of this article was to discuss about clinical characteristics of intraabdominal cystic lymphangioma developed in Korea. METHODS: Age, sex, symptoms, locations and size of the lesions, diagnostic methods, treatments, complications and recurrence were analyzed in 13 pathologically confirmed cases of intraabdominal cystic lymphangioma and 18 cases of literature consideration reported in Korea. RESULTS: Intraabdominal cystic lymphangioma commonly developed in adults compared to the other lymphangioma, and frequently located in the mesentery. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom, but it was a non-specific finding. Tenderness and abdominal mass were not significantly associated. The size of mass was diverse. Abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal CT were diagnostic tools most commonly used, but preoperative diagnosis was possible only in 22.6%. All patients were discharged without any complications, and no recurrence was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnosis of intraabdominal cystic lymphangioma is difficult and symptoms and signs are not specific. Intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma should be suspected in patients with non specific abdominal pain and intraabdominal mass and active diagnostic evaluation is mandatory.
Abdominal Pain/etiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangioma, Cystic/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Male ; Mesentery/pathology ; Middle Aged ; Omentum/pathology ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Prognosis ; Republic of Korea ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed