title: Splenic mesothelial cysts mimicking lymphagiomas.
abstract: Lymphangiomas of the spleen may occur as part of lymphangiomatosis or may represent solitary lesions. Solitary splenic lymphangiomas are described traditionally as subcapsular, multicystic proliferations that are often incidental findings. Six cases of splenic tumors with morphologic features similar to those described for solitary lymphangioma were studied using an immunohistochemical panel that included epithelial and vascular markers. None of the patients had evidence of lymphangiomatosis, and all tumors were incidental findings in splenectomy specimens. All cases demonstrated lining cells that were positive for keratin and the mesothelial cell-associated antibody HBME-1 but were negative for the vascular markers Factor VIII-related antigens, CD31, and CD34. The immunohistochemical findings are suggestive of a mesothelial derivation of these multicystic proliferations rather than representing true lymphangiomas.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010, U.S.A.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Arber
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Strickler
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003560:Cysts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins; D003094:Collagen