Multiple cystic lymphangiomas of the spleen: radiologic and histopathologic findings

Abstract

Splenic cyst(s) may be noted as an incidental finding on conventional imaging techniques, or as a result of evaluation of a patient with left upper quadrant pain, left shoulder pain, abdominal enlargement, or splenomegaly. Lymphangioma of the spleen is an extremely rare and benign neoplasm in adults, which is characterized by cystic dilatation of the lymphatic vessels in splenic parenchyma. This report describes a case of multiple splenic lymphangiomas in a 41-year-old female. She underwent abdominal ultrasonography for a health check-up. She had no symptoms, and physical examination did not reveal any abnormalities apart from splenomegaly. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed multiple variable-sized cysts replacing the normal parenchyma of the spleen. There were wall calcifications in several cysts. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, and the final diagnosis was multiple lymphangiomas of the spleen.

Isolated splenic lymphangioma presenting as a huge mass causing anemia and abdominal distension in an adult patient: a case report

“…In fact, isolated splenic lymphangioma is a very rare entity; only a few cases have been reported in the literature [ 1 ]. Children are mostly affected; 80–90% of lymphangiomas are detected in patients before 2 years of age, and female patients are more commonly affected [ 2 , 6 ]. More often, other organs are involved as part of the so-called lymphangiomatosis syndrome.…”

“…Splenic lymphangioma is usually an incidental radiological finding because patients are rarely symptomatic. The clinical manifestations are generally due to large tumors with compression of neighboring anatomical structures [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]. Patients with large splenic lymphangiomas often present with left upper quadrant pain, abdominal distension, nausea, or loss of appetite [ 1 ].…”

“…Splenic lymphangiomas have a benign course, even though rare cases with sarcomatous transformation have been reported [ 1 ]. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice because other therapeutic options, such as aspiration, drainage, or radiation, are not efficient [ 1 , 4 , 6 ]. Total splenectomy is an adequate therapeutic option, especially for large lesions, in order to prevent complications such as splenic rupture, infection, hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, or recurrence [ 2 , 9 , 11 ].…”

Isolated Splenic Lymphangiomas Presenting in an Infant with Isolated Anaemia

“…Overall, approximately 90% of lymphangiomas are found in children and usually diagnosed before two years of age. ey are also more common in females [2,5].…”

“…Splenic lymphangiomas are mostly benign, and malignance transformation can rarely occur [1]. Total splenectomy is the treatment of choice for isolated splenic lymphangiomas as other options are not as effective [1,5] so that severe complications will be avoided such as splenic rupture and haemorrhage [2]. Most symptoms are nonspecific and depend on the size as the enlarged spleen can compress the adjacent tissue such as the renal tissue or the…”