title: Gastrointestinal tract lymphangiomas: findings at CT and endoscopic imaging with histopathologic correlation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and describe CT and endoscopic imaging findings in patients with pathologically confirmed gastrointestinal tract lymphangiomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Findings from imaging examinations in 6 patients with pathologically confirmed lymphangioma were retrospectively reviewed (computed tomographic images obtained in 6 patients and endoscopic images obtained in 4 patients were available for review). Two radiologists evaluated lesion location, size, shape, edge, number, attenuation, the thickness of capsule wall and the degree of enhancement through PACS or workstation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lymphangiomas in gastrointestinal tract showed similar features in CT imaging: Contrast-enhanced CT scan showed the oval submucosal masses with homogeneous low attenuation. The lymphangioma appeared as a well-defined, smoothly marginated and non-enhancing cystic mass with intact overlying intestinal mucosa. In one case, the lymphangiomas were multiple with volvulus. Remarkably, CT imaging showed 2 patients with intussusception due to the mass. Endoscopic photographs manifested multiple colplanate mucosal protrusions in the gastric wall or intestinal wall. One case showed submucosal pedunculated proliferative lesion with adenomatous surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphangiomas exhibited typical appearances that reflected their cystic pathologic features. They showed similar features in CT imaging: well-demarcated, non-enhancing, homogeneous low attenuation cystic masses with intact overlying mucosa. Endoscopic photographs showed submucosal masses with distension of overlying mucosal vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, The Second Rui Jin Rd, Shanghai, 200025, PR China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhi Yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiao Zhu
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Manavendra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Upadhyaya
authors.forename: Kemin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol