CYSTIC RETROPERITONEAL LYMPHANGIOMAS IN ADULTS

Lymphangioma (LA) is a rare benign tumour of the lymphatic tissue, mos t common in the neck and head, and clinically manifests itself mostly in childhood, Within this group, intra-abdominal and retroperitonal LA are the rarest tumours, especially when occurring in adults, We repor t four LAs localized in the retroperitoneum of patients aged between 2 8 and 72 years, One of these tumours infiltrated the transverse mesoco lon and greater omentum, others were situated in the left retroperiton eum and retroperitonally at the duodeno-jejunal flexure, and in the re trosplenal and retropancreatic area, Diagnosis was made by light micro scopy supported by immunohistochemistry. In three cases the tumour cou ld be removed by radical surgery and none of these patients had a recu rrence (median follow-up time: 4years), The tumour could not be remove d completely from one patient with pre-operative chylascos, Six months after diagnosis of LA this patient died of cardiopulmonary failure du e to progressive tumour chylascos, Isolation and ligation of the cysti c LA's peduncle as well as ligation of lymph channels can prevent recu rrences and chylascos.