Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of abdominal cystic lymphangioma: A case report

Abdominal lymphangioma is a rare tumor of the lymphatic vessels. A case of an abdominal cystic lymphangioma identified at 22 weeks of gestation is reported. Ultrasonographic monitoring showed a progressive increase of mass size during the gestation. Pregnancy was terminated at 38 weeks and the newborn was submitted to a laparotomy with resection of all cystic structures. At the present time the infant is three years old and is doing well.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a fetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma using ultrasonography and MRI: a case report with literature review

A case of fetal chest wall cystic lymphangioma diagnosed prenatally at 28 weeks' gestation is reported. Ultrasound examination showed a multilocular, large cystic mass (10 x 22 x 29 mm) on the left side of the fetus in the area of the lower chest and upper abdomen, without color flow imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the extent and the tissue characteristics of the lesion. Two months after birth the lymphangioma was surgically removed, following an infection and a rapid increase in size. The case is discussed, and a short review of the literature is reported.     

Benign cystic lymphangioma presenting as a pelvic mass

We report a case of a 48-year-old woman with a complaint of chronic pelvic pain with a pelvic mass not related with uterus or adnexes. Preoperative ultrasonography or contrast enhanced computed tomography did not give accurate information on the origin of tumor. At laparotomy a cystic, retroperitoneal mass was totally resected without rupture. Final histopathological examination revealed that cystic spaces with abundant lymphocytes suggesting lymphangioma. No recurrence was detected in the follow up 6 months after total resection. As a result cystic lymphangioma should be considered as a rare cause of pelvic mass in women.     

Rare Case of Ovarian Cystic Lymphangioma

Lymphangiomas are rare, generally benign tumors of the lymphatic system comprised of multiple cystic spaces lined with endothelium. Lymphangiomas may arise in any part of the body. Lymphangioma of the ovary is rare; we have identified only 13 reports in a 50-year literature survey (PubMed 1959–2009). Typically, lymphangiomas are slow-growing tumors that remain asymptomatic for a long time. They are most often found incidentally in abdominal or pelvic imaging studies or at surgery or autopsy. Wide excision of the lesion with microscopically clear margins is the best approach when feasible. A postmenopausal woman had a symptomatic pelvic mass. Imaging studies demonstrated a complex left ovarian cyst. Complete removal of a cystic lymphangioma was successfully performed at laparoscopy. Cystic lymphangiomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of an ovarian cystic mass, and laparoscopic excision may be the method of treatment.     

ACTH-secreting islet cell tumor of the pancreas presenting as bilateral ovarian tumors and Cushing's syndrome.

A 41-year-old woman presented with hirsutism, a pelvic mass, and Cushing's syndrome. Imaging studies revealed bilateral ovarian masses and a solid and cystic mass within the pancreas. Partial pancreatectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, and excision of several peritoneal tumor nodules were performed. Pathological examination revealed a neuroendocrine islet cell tumor of the pancreas with bilateral ovarian metastases. The tumor was immunoreactive for ACTH, chromogranin, neuron-specific enolase, and keratin. The patient received postoperative chemotherapy and has been disease-free for 6 years. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an ACTH-secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor presenting as bilateral ovarian metastases.     

Linfangioma quístico de ovario

Cystic lymphangioma of the ovary is an extremely rare neoplasm and is usually detected as an incidental finding during surgery. This mass mimics cystic tumors of the ovary such as teratoma, hemangioma or adenomatoid tumor. The case of a 31-year-old patient with intermittent abdominal pain of slight to moderate intensity is presented. Abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed a tumor with multiple cysts with a solid component inside. During laparotomy, a solid, encapsulated and gray tumor was observed. When the tumor was cut, multiple cystic spaces of different sizes and with yellow, serous fluid were observed. Histopathological examination revealed a tumor with characteristics of cystic lymphangioma of the ovary.     

Solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas: report of three cases.

We report 3 cases of solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas, which is a rare pancreatic tumor with distinct clinicopathologic characteristics. Sonographic, computed tomographic (CT) and gross pathologic findings of these 3 patients were obtained and compared. The tumors had a smooth, enhanced capsule and variable internal architecture. Two of the tumors appeared to be of the heterogeneous soft tissue density type, while one of the tumors was of the mixed solid and cystic type. Because the CT appearance of this tumor is subject to variation, it should be differentiated from other pancreatic lesions with variable CT appearances. Several CT features such as soft tissue density of the mass in a precontrast study, a well-enhanced capsule and the absence of pancreatic or biliary duct dilatation, as well as the characteristic young-female predilection, may aid in a correct diagnosis before surgery.     

Axillary cavernous lymphangioma in pregnancy and puerperium

BACKGROUND: Cavernous lymphangioma is a form of benign congenital abnormality grouped under lymphatic malformations, which can clinically manifest as a cystic tumor. Common areas are the neck and axillary region. Most cases are diagnosed in children under the age of 2, and occasionally the diagnosis is made in utero. CASE: We present the case of a 29-year-old primigravid woman with an axillary cavernous lymphangioma which rapidly increased in size during pregnancy, and describe the treatment plan in this unusual situation. CONCLUSION: The treatment of a large lymphangioma during pregnancy has to be well planned, considering the welfare of the mother and baby. Most of the current therapies have never been tested in pregnant or lactating women. We discuss the possible pathomechanisms for the growth of lymphangioma during pregnancy with the overproduction of cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor.     

Lymphangioma of the ovary after radiation due to Wilms' tumor in the childhood

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of lymphangioma of the ovary after radiation due to Wilms' tumor in the childhood. PATIENT: A 19-year-old nulliparous female. INTERVENTIONS: The vaginal ultrasound showed the left ovary enlarged to 4.4 cm x 2.9 cm x 4.5 cm in size including a 3.5 cm x 2.6 cm x 3.2 cm measuring cystic solid tumor without hypervascularity. For exclusion of a malignant tumor, a laparoscopy for excision of the tumor and deep incision of the left ovary with a bipolar needle was performed to exclude deeper tumor of stromal origin. The histological examination of the tissue showed a lymphangioma beside normal ovarian tissue. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of lymphangioma of the ovary after radiation due to Wilms' tumor in the childhood. The impact of this finding on the patient's fertility remains unclear. As in other organs exposed to radiation, lymphangioma can also occur in the ovary. Careful follow up should be considered to this patients, because malignant transformation can not be excluded.     

Case report of fetal axillo-thoraco-abdominal cystic hygroma

Cystic hygroma (moist tumor) was first described in 1828 by Redenbacher. The cyst usually results owing to an absence or an inefficient connection between the lymphatic and venous systems. Of this type of malformation 75% cases are localized in the nuchal region; however, only 20% are found in the axilla while 5% of these hygromas are in other locations. Prognosis depends on associated fetal co-morbidities. There are many case reports on cystic hygroma but only a few on the axillo-thoraco-abdominal variant. This is a case report of a huge late-onset fetal axillo-thoraco-abdominal cystic hygroma, which was diagnosed at term followed by a difficult vaginal delivery in a 38-year-old woman. The baby did not have any congenital anomaly other than cystic hygroma with no evidence of intrathoracic or intra-abdominal extension of mass and a pelvic kidney reported on neonatal ultrasound and CT scan. The surgical excision of the cyst was done on the fourth day following birth and the histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis. Management of fetal cystic hygroma with the use of a sclerosing agent is a new modality being explored. Risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies for aneuploidy is not increased. The baby has been followed up to 5 months of birth and is thriving well. Karyotype shows an XX pattern.     

Cystic adenomatoid tumor of the uterus

We describe a case of cystic adenomatoid tumor of the uterus in a 38-year-old woman. The tumor was a subserosal cystic mass with a maximum diameter of 8 cm and located at the posterior wall of the right cornual region. Histologically, the tumor was composed of multiple cavities lined by flattened cells, lying among thin septa of connective tissue. The neoplasm showed small solid areas with a more typical histologic pattern of adenomatoid tumor. Immunohistochemical techniques showed the cells to be positive for keratins. They showed desmosomes, abundant intracytoplasmic filaments, and microvilli on ultrastructural study. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of the present case closely resemble those of benign cystic mesothelioma and strongly support the mesothelial origin of the adenomatoid tumor of the uterus.     

Lymphangioma--prenatal and perinatal aspects--Part one

Lymphangioma or cystic hygroma is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system which has been commonly associated with fetal aneuploidy, hydrops, structural malformations and intrauterine death. In this paper we would like to report two cases of lymphangioma diagnosed prenatally in the third trimester in the fetuses with normal karyotype, normal NT in the first trimester and without other structural anomalies and with good perinatal outcome.     

Antepartum assessment of fetal cystic lymphangioma by magnetic resonance imaging

Few reports of fetal cystic lymphangioma have described assessment in utero by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated a fetus with cystic lymphangioma by this method. Complementing the characteristic features of cystic lymphangioma in ultrasonographic images, prenatal MRI provided a detailed view of anatomic relationships of cysts to surrounding tissues in this case. This anatomic evaluation facilitated planning of perinatal management and choice of manner of delivery. We found MRI very helpful in antepartum assessment of fetal cystic lymphangioma.     

Prenatal and perinatal aspects of a giant fetal cervicothoracal lymphangioma.

A massive cervicothoracal lymphangioma was diagnosed in a fetus at 25 weeks of gestation. On ultrasound study, the mass showed septated, cystic components and extended from the right submandibular region to the right anterolateral thoracic wall including the right axilla and right scapula. Close sonographic follow-up revealed an increase in the size of the lymphangioma without fetal hydrops. An interdisciplinary approach including a pediatric surgeon, neonatologist, perinatologist and anesthesiologist was chosen. Elective cesarean section under general anesthesia was planned at 37 + 0 weeks of gestation. Surgical correction of the lymphangioma was successfully performed on the 4th day of life. Possible differential diagnoses and the obstetrical management are presented.     

Prenatal diagnosis of abdominal lymphatic malformations

Abdominal lymphatic malformations (LM) are rare congenital malformations of the lymphatic system, representing only 2% of all LM in newborns. They may arise from intra-abdominal solid organs (such as the liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, adrenal glands, and gastrointestinal tract), mesentery, omentum, and retroperitoneum. Mesenteric LM are the most commonly seen, with retroperitoneal LM being the second most common. Fetal abdominal LM could be associated with karyotypic or other abnormalities, including skin edema, hydrops fetalis, and polyhydramnios, and prenatal diagnosis and perinatal counseling for these LM are important. Prenatal ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have led to an increased diagnosis of abdominal LM and improved monitoring and intervention postnatally. This article provides an overview of fetal abdominal LM, including the prenatal diagnoses, differential diagnoses, comprehensive illustrations of the imaging findings, treatments, and fetal outcomes.     

Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas with severe dysplasia during pregnancy: Case report and review of the literature

ObjectiveMucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) of the pancreas occurs mainly in women aged 40–60 years, so it is extremely rare in pregnant woman.Case ReportA 28-year-old woman in the ninth week of pregnancy was referred to our hospital due to a tumor of the abdominal cavity. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a huge multicystic lesion in the left upper abdomen. There are mural nodules and hypertrophic septa partially with the presence of blood flow inside the tumor. Endoscopic ultrasonography was performed and a diagnosis of possible pancreatic MCN was made. At the second trimester, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. Histopathological analysis of the specimen revealed a pancreatic MCN with severe dysplasia. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for both progesterone and estrogen receptors in the stromal cell nuclei; moreover, MIB-1 stained positive in 10–20% of the nuclei in the epithelium with severe dysplasia.ConclusionMCN carries malignant potential, therefore, early detection and complete surgery is recommended. MCN in pregnancy is rare and the abdomen is distended during pregnancy, so clinicians can easily miss the presence of the tumor. We should recognize the presence of MCN in pregnant woman. We speculate that the presence of blood flow within the tumor and MIB-1-positive cells can be a predictor for premalignant or malignant MCN.     

Prenatal diagnosis of cystic bladder distension secondary to obstructive uropathy

We report the perinatal findings of a huge midline posterior cystic bladder distension secondary to lower urinary tract obstruction and prune-belly syndrome in a male fetus. A 40-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 0, was referred at 21 gestation weeks with sonographic findings of anhydramnios and a fetus with a 9.5 x 6.0 cm intra-abdominal cystic mass containing two chambers. The in utero ultrasound-guided fetal bladder drainage using a single needle aspiration and the ultrasound follow-ups of fetal bladder filling provided a diagnostic aid. This method helped to show the position of the bladder and the cystic bladder mass as well as the status of communication in response to decompression or filling of the fetal bladder. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a 46,XY karyotype. Autopsy showed agenesis of the posterior urethra, prominent megacystis, a cystically distended mass arising from the lower posterior bladder, hydronephrosis, megaureters, and anorectal agenesis with an intestinal blind end adherent to the posterior wall of the uterus. There were no urogenital duplication, hindgut duplication, or urachal abnormalities. The contracted bladder had a full-thickness muscular wall with a trigone and two ureteral orifices while the cystically distended bladder did not have any opening and was lined by a very thin wall. Histology of the cystic bladder wall demonstrated typical urothelium, lamina propria and muscularis propria. The pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of cystic bladder distension are discussed.     

Diversity of imaging features of ovarian sclerosing stromal tumors on MRI and PET-CT: a case report and literature review

Background

Sclerosing stromal tumors (SST) are rare, benign tumors classified as sex cord stromal tumors. To our knowledge, positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT) findings of SST have only been described in one report and imaging findings on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have only been described in three reports. Characteristic imaging features of SST on PET-CT and DWI have not yet been identified. Here we report a case of multilocular SST with solid components showing mild FDG uptake and slight hyperintensity on DWI, and reviewed the literature.

Case presentation

Seventeen-year-old woman presented with a complaint of abdominal pain and was admitted due to infectious colitis. Ultrasonography incidentally revealed a multiseptated cystic mass in the pelvis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large multilobulated cystic mass with irregularly thickened septa and solid components originating in the left adnexa. On T2WI, the cystic components had the same signal intensity (SI) as water, and the irregularly thickened septa and solid components showed intermediate SI higher than the SI of the uterine myometrium. The septa and solid components also showed early strong enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1WI and slight hyperintensity on DWI. The PET-CT showed mild FDG uptake in the solid components of the tumor (SUV: 2.11). According to previous articles, the morphology of SSTs are various; solid mass, well-circumscribed multilobular mass, well-demarcated mass, and multilocular cysticmass. According to the reports describing DWI findings of SST, the SI varies from significant hyperintensity to slightly hyperintensity like in this case. Only one report describing PET-CT findings of SST showed intense FDG uptake (SUV max: 7.0).

Conclusion

The findings on DWI and PET-CT of our case and the past reports describing PET and DWI findings of SSTs are not consistent. The wide variety of the signal intensity on MRI and FDG uptake on PET could be due to the pathological diversity caused by the cellular areas undergoing collagenous sclerosis, which transforms the tumor into admixture of the collagen and the densely fibrous components with edema.

     

Multiple vaginal mullerian cysts: a case report and review of literature

Vaginal wall cysts occur rarely and can cause a variety of symptoms. A 33-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of vaginal bulging and pelvic pressure. Pelvic examination revealed a protruding cystic mass on the anterior vaginal wall and two small cysts located in the left upper vaginal wall. The pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a non-septated homogenous vaginal cyst that was differentiated from the urethral diverticulum. MRI is useful for localizing and differentiating vaginal cysts. However, physical examination is important for the detection and characterization of small cysts.     

Neonatal ovarian lymphangioma

Ovarian cysts are primarily of follicular origin and ovarian lymphangioma is an extremely rare lesion. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of unilateral ovarian cyst in which pathologic examination revealed an ovarian lymphangioma. Ovarian cystic lymphangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of an ovarian cyst mass in neonate.