Cystic Lymphangioma

Cystic lymphangioma in the mesentery of small bowel in a young patient. There were multiple, thin-walled cysts filled with clear fluid. Cystic lymphangiomas may be mistaken for multicystic benign mesotheliomas (also known as multilocular peritoneal inclusion cysts). Following are helpful diagnostic features to distinguish between the two: Cystic lymphangiomas usually occur in children (especially boys) and they are extrapelvic, generally involving mesentery of the small intestine, omentum, mesocolon, or retroperitoneum. They are lined by endothelium which can be confirmed by immunostains. The septa may contain lymphoid aggregates and smooth muscle. Multicystic benign mesotheliomas are usually seen in adults and are lined by mesothelial cells. Image courtesy of Dr. Jean-Christophe Fournet, Paris, France; humpath.com; Used with permission