Adrenal lymphangioma masquerading as a pancreatic tail cyst

World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Sep 28;20(36):13195-9. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.13195.

Abstract

Cystic lymphangiomas of the adrenal gland are rare. A 79-year-old female presented in the emergency room with epigastric discomfort, and an immovable mass was palpated in her abdomen upon physical examination. Imaging studies revealed a large cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail. The radiologic impression ruled out the possibility of a mucinous cystic neoplasm, or a pseudocyst in the pancreas. The operative findings demonstrated that the cystic mass originated in the left adrenal gland. A laparoscopic excision of the cystic mass was performed, and immunohistochemistry confirmed that this mass was a lymphangioma of the adrenal gland. Several prior reports have suggested that lymphangioma can mimic renal or splenic cysts. However, lymphangioma cases mimicking pancreatic cysts are very rare.

Keywords: Adrenal gland; Cyst; Lymphangioma; Mucinous neoplasm; Pancreas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Laparoscopy
  • Lymphangioma / chemistry
  • Lymphangioma / pathology*
  • Lymphangioma / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Pseudocyst / pathology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor