Submucosal Lymphatic Cysts of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Rare Cause of Submucosal Mass Lesion

Seven patients with single, submucosal, lymphatic cysts of the gastrointestinal tract were seen at the Mayo Clinic in a 10 year period. In 3 of these cases, the evidence was seen on roentgenographic examination. In the other 4 cases, the lesions were noted incidentally at operation. A comparison of the fluoroscopic and roentgenographic findings in these 3 cases was made with those in 9 cases of proved gastric lipomas. Each of the lymphatic cysts presented as a sharply defined, rounded, easily compressible submucosal lesion, whereas just over half of the lipomas had this characteristic appearance. The finding of these roentgenographic features should suggest inclusion of lymphatic cyst in the differential diagnosis.