Gallbladder lymphangioma simulating liver hydatid cyst: A case report

Gallbladder lymphangiomas are very-rare, yet benign tumors that start developing in early life. Those tumors often go unnoticed until adulthood as they grow into a larger size or a complication happens. Despite its rarity, suspicion for the diagnosis should be maintained by the physicians. A 14-year-old female patient presented to the hospital complaining of right upper quadrant abdominal pain of one month duration. Physical examination showed mild upper quadrant tenderness. Serology testing for the patient only showed eosinophilia. Computed tomography showed a large non-enhancing cystic lesion attached to the gallbladder. Presumptive diagnosis of hydatid cyst was made, and the patient was treated accordingly. Histological analysis of mass showed dilated lymphatic vessels, hence the shift in diagnosis towards a lymphangioma was made. Gallbladder lymphangioma are usually asymptomatic, but they can present with pain, nausea and vomiting. Multiple complications had been reported including compression of the nearby structures, intra-abdominal infection, rupture, torsion or hemorrhagic transformation. Surgical removal of the mass is the treatment of choice. Right upper quadrant pain can be the presenting symptom of liver pathology. Histological assessment is needed to confirm the diagnosis which will show dilated lymphatic vessels. •Gallbladder lymphangioma is a very-rare tumor which is often misdiagnosed by a more common pathology.•Oral and Intravenous contrast computed tomography will show a non-enhancing cystic lesion.•Surgery is the treatment of choice, and histological assessment will show dilated lymphatic vessels.•To our best knowledge, this is the first reported case in Palestine, among the 10 other cases reported world-wide.