Selected case from the Arkadi M. Rywlin international pathology slide series: lymphangiomatosis of the spleen associated with ipsilateral abdominopelvic and lower extremity venolymphatic malformations: a case report and review of the literature

Splenic Lymphangioma Mimicking Lymphomatous Involvement: A Case Report with Review of the Literature

Lymphangioma is a benign malformation of lymphatic vessels usually found in the head and neck areas or axilla. They may involve visceral organs with a lower percentage. Splenic lymphangioma is a rare tumor. This disease is often seen in children but may be diagnosed incidentally in adults. Most patients are asymptomatic, but in large and multifocal lesions, the patient may have some nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Physical examination may show no specific findings or detect palpable masses. The preoperative diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma is challenging. Histopathological evaluation and sometimes immunohistochemistry tests can result in a definitive diagnosis. In this study, we present an 18-year-old man, with Burkitt's lymphoma who underwent laparotomy and total splenectomy as a result of cystic lesions discovered accidentally during imaging with the final diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma after histopathological evaluation.

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy for splenic lymphangioma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Lymphangioma is a benign malformation of the lymphatic system and is often found in the neck and axilla, the orbit, the mediastinum, etc. However, isolated splenic lymphangioma is a rare disease in young women, and its treatment is controversial. We report a case of laparoscopic partial splenectomy for isolated splenic lymphangioma in a young woman.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 18-year-old woman with mild epigastralgia was admitted to a nearby hospital. Abdominal ultrasound detected a 6-cm mass confined to the upper pole of the spleen; thereafter, she was referred to our department for surgical treatment. Although a benign tumor, we decided to resect it because of her symptoms. To preserve part of the normal spleen, laparoscopic partial splenectomy was performed with a co-axial approach using four ports and a liver retractor in the lithotomy position. After dissection around the spleen hilum, we identified that the tumor was being fed from the splenic vessels of the upper pole and severed the branch. Postoperatively, the patient showed no complications and was discharged on postoperative day 8 without symptoms. Pathological examination revealed splenic lymphangioma, which is rare in young women. No recurrence was seen 1 year after surgery, and a computed tomography scan showed no problems with the remaining spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience of laparoscopic partial splenectomy for a young woman with an isolated splenic lymphangioma, we determined that laparoscopic partial splenectomy is a safe, effective, and valuable option for the treatment of benign splenic tumors.

Splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis in association with omental varices and portal hypertension: A case report

RATIONAL

Lymphangiomatosis is rare and benign, and slowly proliferating lymphatic vessels of unknown etiology and visceral lymphangiomatosis involving the spleen is rare. Since lymphangiomatosis may be asymptomatic or present as a sense of fullness, splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis is a disease of little concern.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 34-year-old woman suffering from progressive epigastric fullness after oral intake for two weeks.

DIAGNOSES

Physical examination showed a palpable mass which was more than 10 cm in size over the left hypochondrium. An abdominal computed tomography disclosed marked splenomegaly with multiple cystic lesions in the spleen, causing external compression with right-sided deviation of the adjacent organs and varices in the upper abdomen. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed portal hypertensive gastropathy.

INTERVENTIONS

Conventional total splenectomy was performed in this patient because of an enlarged spleen and unknown etiology, preoperatively. Upon surgery, splenomegaly with polycystic content and varicose vessels over the omentum were noted. Autologous spleen transplantation was not performed because of limited orthotopic and vascularized spleen.

OUTCOMES

The patient is doing well 18 months after splenectomy.

LESSONS

This was a rare case presenting with splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis in association with omental varices and portal hypertension. Splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with a palpable painless mass over the left hypochondrium.

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

Background

Lymphangiomas are uncommon benign lesions of lymphatic vessels very rarely affecting the spleen. Isolated involvement of the spleen in adult patients is rarely reported.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 40-year-old Arabic woman who presented with a 25-cm abdominal mass, fatigue, and anemia evolving for 6 months. Her physical examination revealed anemic syndrome and an enormous splenomegaly extending beyond the umbilical area. An abdominal computed tomographic scan showed a 25-cm splenic mass with multiple hypodense nodules without enhancement after contrast injection. A surgical total splenectomy was performed. Histopathological analysis led to the diagnosis of cystic splenic lymphangioma. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital.

Conclusions

Isolated splenic lymphangioma in adult patients is very rare. The preoperative diagnosis is challenging because imaging techniques are not specific. Pathological analysis of the resected specimen is the only effective way to render the definitive diagnosis. Splenic lymphangiomas have a benign course after complete surgical resection.