Large cystic lymphangioma of pancreas mimicking mucinous neoplasm: case report with a review of histological differential diagnosis

PURPOSE: Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas was first recognized in 1913 as a form of benign cyst. It is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of the lymphangiomas. CASE REPORT: Herein, we report a case of cystic pancreatic lymphangioma diagnosed in a 51-year-old female patient who was hospitalized for a colicky upper abdominal pain for a month. Radiological imaging revealed a large multiloculated cystic pancreatic mass with enhancing septations. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy, and the histological examination showed cystic lymphangioma. CONCLUSION: Although very uncommon, cystic lymphangioma should be placed in the differential diagnosis list of pancreatic cystic lesions, at least about the multi-septated ones in asymptomatic female patients which are discovered incidentally.