Urogenital Imaging

Lymphangioma, retroperitoneal

a developmental malformation and not a true neoplasm, though it presents as a retroperitoneal mass. Lymphangiectasia is the dilatation of abnormal lymphatic channels, which have failed to establish normal communication with the rest of the lymphatic system. The dilated lymphatic channels conglomerate and form a unilocular or multilocular cystic mass, known as a lymphangioma.

The diagnosis of retroperitoneal lymphangioma is usually made in infancy. It occurs with equal frequency in males and females. Common clinical findings include pain, abdominal distension, fever, fatigue, weight loss and haematuria.

A retroperitoneal lymphangioma can be imaged by ultrasound, CT or MRI. It may be elongated in contour and characteristically spans more than one retroperitoneal compartment. Uncomplicated fluid is seen within the mass or locules, which are separated by thin septa. The fluid appears complicated in the presence of haemorrhage or infection. Rarely, calcification and chyle are present.

HH