abdominal cystic lymphangiomas are rare and occur secondary to congenital malformation of the lymphatics , mostly in the mesenterium . acute or chronic volvulus of the small bowel may occur by traction of the lymphangioma . a transverse supraumbilical laparotomy was performed and a volvulus of the small bowel was seen . the lead point of this volvulus was a 7-cm benign cystic lymphangioma , located 15-cm distal of treitz ' ligament . the vital bowel was repositioned and the cyst was resected including a small section of jejunum , which was anastomosed end - to - end .
key clinical messageabdominal cystic lymphangiomas are rare and occur secondary to congenital malformation of the lymphatics , mostly in the mesenterium . 
 acute or chronic volvulus of the small bowel may occur by traction of the lymphangioma . 
 therapy includes resection of the lymphangioma and of the small bowel involved .