Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas are uncommon tumors. When symptomatic, these tumors usually present as a palpable mass in the abdomen. Rarely, compression of adjacent structures may produce bowel obstruction.
A 49-year-old woman complained of general fatigue and a large mass filling the entire abdomen that was found by a physician. The mass was soft, smooth, and nontender. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a huge retroperitoneal mass in the abdomen. The left kidney was elevated and displaced anteriorly by the mass. The mass was homogeneous and had the density of water. A diagnosis of retroperitoneal cystic tumor was considered. At laparotomy, a large cystic mass was removed from the retroperitoneal space. The final pathologic diagnosis was cystic lymphangioma.