J Korean Surg Soc.  2011 Jun;80(Suppl 1):S55-S58. 10.4174/jkss.2011.80.Suppl1.S55.

Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas mimicking pancreatic pseudocyst

• Kim HH
• Park EK
• Seoung JS
• Hur YH
• Koh YS
• Kim JC
• Cho CK
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2096652
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2011.80.Suppl1.S55

Abstract

Lymphangiomas are rare congenital benign tumors arising from the lymphatic system, and are mostly encountered in the neck and axillary regions of pediatric patients (95%). Lymphangioma of the pancreas is extremely rare accounting for less than 1% of these tumors. We report here on a case of pancreatic cystic lymphangioma. A 54-year-old woman presented with intermittent postprandial abdominal discomfort and radiating back pain. Abdominal computed tomography scan revealed 8 x 6.5 cm hypodense cystic mass arising from the tail of the pancreas without septa or solid component. The initial impression was a pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical study helped make the diagnosis of a pancreatic cystic lymphangioma. Herein, we report a case of pancreatic cystic lymphangioma mimicking pancreatic pseudocyst and review the relevant medical literature.

Keyword

Pancreas; Cystic lymphangioma; Surgical excision; Pseudocyst

MeSH Terms

Accounting
Back Pain
Female
Humans
Lymphangioma
Lymphangioma, Cystic
Lymphatic System
Middle Aged
Neck
Pancreas
Pancreatectomy
Pancreatic Cyst
Pancreatic Pseudocyst
Splenectomy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings. The abdominal CT scan reveals an approximately 8 × 6.5 cm-sized well-circumscribed homogenous cystic mass arising from the tail of the pancreas without septa or enhancing solid portion.

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  Fig. 2 Gross findings of cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas. The gross pathologic examination reveals an approximately 7 × 6.5 cm-sized mass containing a milky fluid in the pancreatic body.

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  Fig. 3 Microscopic findings. (A) Histologically, the tumor is composed of dilated lymphatic vessels, and contained homogenous eosinophilic material (H&E, ×100). (B) Immunohistochemical finding shows positive endothelial-lined cells in immunostaining by D2-40 (×100).

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