Rapid growing pulmonary cavernous lymphangioma after chronic process for ten years.
BACKGROUND
Solitary cavernous lymphangioma is very rare disease characterized by abnormally proliferating lymphatic vessels. We report a 49-year-old woman with a cavernous pulmonary lymphangioma showing rapid growth after remaining indolent for 10 years.


METHODS
Chest computed tomography revealed a solitary, poorly demarcated mass in the left lower lobe; however, the tumour grew in size over the next 6 months. A left lower lobectomy was performed following suspected lung cancer. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the resected specimens revealed a pulmonary cavernous lymphangioma.


CONCLUSIONS
It is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of solitary cavernous lymphangioma by imaging findings, therefore a surgical resection is recommended as the diagnostic and therapeutic modality.


CONCLUSIONS
A pulmonary lymphangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly growing tumour.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shin-Kokura Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, 1-3-1 Kanada, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8505, Japan; Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: shinji5996@yahoo.co.jp.
Shinji
S
Shinohara
Department of Oncology, Immunology and Surgery, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan.
Ryoichi
R
Nakanishi
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shin-Kokura Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, 1-3-1 Kanada, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8505, Japan.
Manabu
M
Yasuda
Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
Fumihiro
F
Tanaka
Immunohistochemical findings; Pulmonary lymphangioma; Thorcoscopic surgery