Small bowel haemangioma with local lymph node involvement presenting as intussusception

Abstract

Gastrointestinal haemangiomas make up 0.05% of all intestinal neoplasms. They are sometimes multiple and usually present with pain, bleeding, and obstruction. An associated haemangiomatous change in regional lymph nodes has not been reported previously. A woman of 21 years presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scan showed a lower abdominal mass. Laparotomy revealed a small bowel tumour causing an intussusception together with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Pathological examination revealed a small bowel haemangioma with mesenteric node involvement. The pathogenesis of haemangiomatous involvement of lymph nodes is discussed. Hamartomatous change is the likely cause in this patient.