title: Splenic cystic lymphangioma with atypical ultrasound findings.
abstract: Splenic lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors occurring more frequently in children. Because of their asymptomatic growth, splenic lymphangiomas are usually suspected based on incidental findings, the diagnosis relying on different imaging techniques and requiring histological confirmation. The rarity of the disease and its atypical imaging findings make the diagnosis of splenic lymphangiomas challenging. We describe the case of an isolated splenic cystic lymphangioma affecting an elderly female patient. The patient was asymptomatic and the blood tests were normal. The tumor appeared on gray-scale ultrasound as an inhomogeneous, mostly hyperechoic septated mass, which is atypical for a cystic lymphangioma. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography suggested the benign nature of the tumor and narrowed the diagnosis. The tumor received histopathological confirmation after splenectomy. Various CT and MRI findings in splenic lymphangiomas have been described, but very few reports regarding CEUS exist to this point.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Cornel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iancu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Vasile
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Andreica
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Socaciu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Computed Tomography, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Ofelia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Roxana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sechel
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, "Octavian Fodor" Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. rbadea@umfcluj.ro.
authors.forename: Radu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badea
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: CEUS; Imaging; Lymphangioma; Spleen; Ultrasound