Imaging features and clinical management of mesenteric cavernous lymphangioma: A case report and literature review

Mesenteric cavernous lymphangioma (MCL) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor arising from the mesentery. The current study presents the detailed clinical course and management of a patient with MCL. The patient underwent a complete resection of the mesenteric mass, a partial jejunal resection and a jejunojejunostomy in July 2021. On postoperative day 5, a low‑output enterocutaneous fistula developed, which was successfully managed with conservative treatment. At the 4.5‑year follow‑up, the patient remained in stable condition with no evidence of disease recurrence. Although MCL is histologically benign, its locally infiltrative growth pattern can mimic malignant soft‑tissue tumors, particularly liposarcomas, on imaging and clinical presentation, leading to diagnostic uncertainty and potential overtreatment. Therefore, accurate identification of the characteristic radiological features of MCL is essential not only for an accurate preoperative diagnosis but also for surgical planning and intraoperative decision‑making. However, the existing literature consists predominantly of small case series and individual case reports, and comprehensive analyses of the clinical and imaging characteristics of MCL remain lacking. The current study presents a case of MCL and conducts a systematic review of the literature to comprehensively characterize its clinical and imaging manifestations, thereby providing evidence to support the accurate preoperative diagnosis of MCL.