Yonsei Med J.  2007 Aug;48(4):715-718. 10.3349/ymj.2007.48.4.715.

Spontaneous Regression of a Cystic Tumor in a Postpartum Woman; Is It A Cystic Lymphangioma?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kimnex@yuhs.ac
  • 2Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of intra-abdominal cystic tumors in adults is unusual. Here, we present the case of an apparently spontaneous regression of a large intra-abdominal cystic mass found in the postpartum period of an 18-year-old woman. The regression was demonstrated using serial computed tomography (CT) examinations over a two-year period.

Keyword

Lymphangioma; CT; MRI

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Neoplasms/*radiography
Adolescent
Female
Humans
Lymphangioma, Cystic/*radiography
*Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
Postpartum Period
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Coronal (A) and axial (B) view of contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating a large, multilobulated, multilocular, heterogeneous cystic mass with internal septa in the right upper quadrant abdomen. On axial T2-weighted spin echo image (8000/105) with fat suppression (C) and axial T1-weighted incoherent gradient-echo (SPGR) images (230/4.2) (D), the signal intensity of the upper portions of the fluid within the cysts showed high signal intensity, and the area of the lower portions of fluid showed low signal intensity.

  • Fig. 2 Follow-up CT scan two years after initial examination shows marked regression of the mass with a tiny remaining cystic lesion in the right upper quadrant abdomen.


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