Laparoscopic excision of a large retroperitoneal lymphovascular malformation in an adult.

Retroperitoneal lymphangioma is a rare benign tumour of the retroperitoneal lymphatics that usually manifests in infancy. It is worth reporting of an unexpected presentation, especially in an adult. They frequently affect the neck (75%) and the axilla (20%). Intra-abdominal lymphangiomas (<5%) have been reported in the mesentery, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, liver and pancreas. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas account for nearly 1% of all lymphangiomas and are uncommon incidental findings usually at surgery, autopsy or lymphography. Differentiating cystic lymphangiomas from other cystic growths by imaging studies alone is often inconclusive, and surgery is frequently required for definitive diagnosis. An interesting and rare case of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma in an adult patient which was removed laparoscopically is described here.

Carcinoid Tumour of Caecum: an Unusual Palpable Mass in the Right Iliac Fossa.

Carcinoid tumour represents 0.8-1.5 % of malignant digestive tumours. Gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoids account for 95 % of all the carcinoids, and caecal carcinoids account for 5 % of all the carcinoids. These tumours are frequent in women (2-4:1) as reported by Spallitta and Termine (Minerva Chir 55:77-87, 2002). In order of frequency, they may occur in the appendix (35 %), ileum (28 %), rectum (13 %) and bronchi. Incidence is less than 1 % in the pancreas, gall bladder, liver, larynx, testes and ovaries. The colon and ileocaecal region are rare sites of origin for gastrointestinal carcinoids as reported by Soga (J Exp Clin Cancer Res 17:139-48, 1998). They remain asymptomatic for years and many a times are diagnosed endoscopically, intraoperatively or during autopsy, based on their histopathological findings. We present a rare case of caecal carcinoid.