Cystic lymphangioma of the rectum-sigmoid in a public hospital in Lima-Peru: case report

Zagaceta Torres W.; Ramírez García J.F.; Chá Vez Rosell M.ÁN. · Revista de gastroenterologia del Peru : organo oficial de la Sociedad de Gastroenterologia del Peru (2020)

Resumen

Lymphangiomas are benign lesions due to a developmental malformation in the lymphatic system that occurs during the embryonic stage. They are more frequent in children. They can be found in the abdominal cavity, being the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract occasionally. The clinical presentation is varied, depending on the location of the lymphangiomas, and may have asymptomatic forms and, occasionally, present with abdominal pain, changes in defecation, rectal bleeding, etc. The diagnosis is made by endoscopy, auxiliary images and is confirmed by histology. We present a case of cystic rectal-sigmoid lymphangioma that we had in our hospital; the patient presented with proctalgia, alternating evacuation and intermittent rectal bleeding. Physical examination was without significant alterations. During the colonoscopy, at the level of the rectum and sigmoids, multiple protruded lesions were found, whose surface was smooth, translucent and bluish in color, with some pseudodiverticular holes, predominantly of the rectum. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed thickening of the submucosa at the level of the rectum with multiple anechoic, microcystic images, some of them with fine septa. The definitive diagnosis was made by histopathology, which describes dilated lymphatic ducts, surrounded by endothelial cells, findings consistent with cystic rectal-sigmoid lymphangioma.