A Case of Lymphangioma of the Duodenum

Abstract

Lymphangioma of the duodenum is a rare tumor and only 16 cases have been reported since 1965 in Japan. This report describes a case of lymphangioma, with characteristic macroscopic findings, of the duodenum and a review of 17 cases including ours. A 45-year-old woman, without complaints, consulted our hospital for further examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract because of abnormal findings in the upper GI series. Hypotonic duodenography and gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an elevated lesion with a central concavity in the second portion of the duodenum, and its surface was transparent, smooth and gelatinous. Under that, a yellow tumor which looked like gathered small nodules could be seen. The biopsy suggested lymphangioma. Partial resection of the duodenum was performed and it was diagnosed pathologically as cavernous lymphangioma.