Yonsei Med J.  2005 Feb;46(1):184-188. 10.3349/ymj.2005.46.1.184.

Littoral Cell Angioma (LCA) Associated with Liver Cirrhosis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea. ywshin@inha.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Pathology, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.
  • 3Department of Surgery, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

Abstract

A littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare benign vascular tumor of the spleen. A 60-year-old man, with multiple nodules in imaging study and liver cirrhosis graded as Child-Pugh classification class A, was transferred for splenomegaly. A thrombocytopenia was found on hematological evaluation. Because there was no evidence of hematological and visceral malignancy, a splenectomy was performed for a definitive diagnosis. The histological and immunohistochemical features of the splenic specimens were consistent with a LCA. After the splenectomy, the thrombocytopenia recovered to the normal platelet count. There has been no previous report of a LCA combined with liver cirrhosis. Herein, the first case of a LCA in Korea, diagnosed and treated by a splenectomy, is reported.

Keyword

Littoral cell; angioma; spleen; liver cirrhosis; vascular tumor

MeSH Terms

Hemangioma/*complications/pathology/surgery
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis/*complications/pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Splenectomy
Splenic Neoplasms/*complications/pathology/surgery

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Enhanced abdominal CT scan shows an enlarged spleen with multiple low attenuated nodular lesions and liver cirrhosis featuring a nodular surface, heterogeneous density and mild atrophy of the left lobe.

  • Fig. 2 A. T2-weighted abdominal magnetic resonance image shows multiple splenic nodules with high signal intensity. B. T1-weighted abdominal magnetic resonance image shows multiple splenic nodules with iso to low-signal intensity.

  • Fig. 3 The multiple circumscribed blood-filled spongy nodules of 0.2 to 0.6 cm in size located within the spleen that weighed 370 g. The capsule was intact and tensile, with a vaguely micronodular surface. The cut surface of the spleen was a dark purple color and beef-like soft.

  • Fig. 4 Anastomosing vascular channels with a pseudopapillary pattern and exfoliated cells present in the luminal spaces of the vascular channels (H & E stain, × 400).

  • Fig. 5 Immunohistochemical staining of the splenic nodules. A. Positive staining for the Factor VIII. B. Positive staining for CD31. C. Positive staining for CD68. D. Negative staining for CD34.


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