title: Unusual imaging profile of a solitary splenic lymphangioma.
abstract: Splenic lymphangioma is a rare, benign lesion of the spleen that is characterized microscopically by a proliferation of thin-walled vascular channels filled by proteinacious material. Based on microscopic features, three types of lymphangiomas are described as simple capillary, cavernous, and cystic; however, the distinction between these types is not uniformly accepted. The cystic type is the most common type and has well described imaging characteristics. However, little is known about the less common cavernous and capillary forms of lymphangioma. Herein, we present a case of a patient with two synchronous colon cancers that presented with a concomitant splenic mass that was initially suspected to be metastatic disease. Despite the use of multiple imaging modalities including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear imaging, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, the final diagnosis of cavernous lymphangioma was made following core needle biopsy of the lesion. A thorough review of literature and this case now demonstrate the difficulty in differentiating atypical forms of splenic lymphangiomas from other benign lesions such as hemangioma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eghtedari
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sicklick
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Santillan
keywords: Spleen; benign; colon cancer; contrast enhancement; imaging; lymphangioma