Case Report
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2014; 20(25): 8320-8324
Published online Jul 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i25.8320
Abdominal lymphangiomatosis in a 38-year-old female: Case report and literature review
Ruo-Yang Lin, Hai Zou, Tan-Zhou Chen, Wei Wu, Jian-Hong Wang, Xiao-Lei Chen, Qing-Xi Han
Ruo-Yang Lin, Tan-Zhou Chen, Wei Wu, Jian-Hong Wang, Qing-Xi Han, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
Hai Zou, Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
Xiao-Lei Chen, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Lin RY performed the majority of this study and drafted the manuscript; Zou H helped with the article writing; Chen TZ contributed to the follow-up of patients and contributed to the conception and design of the manuscript; Wu W, Wang JH and Han QX approved the treatments; Chen XL performed the operation.
Correspondence to: Dr. Tan-Zhou Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 2, Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China. cctzz@163.com
Telephone: +86-577-55579193 Fax: +86-577-55578999
Received: December 20, 2013
Revised: February 9, 2014
Accepted: April 8, 2014
Published online: July 7, 2014
Processing time: 194 Days and 17.2 Hours
Abstract

Lymphangioma is an uncommon benign tumor that develops in the lymphatic system. Abdominal lymphangiomatosis is extremely rare in adult patients, and the clinical symptoms of this condition are complicated and atypical. We report a case of abdominal lymphangiomatosis in a 38-year-old female who presented with intestinal bleeding and protein-losing enteropathy, as well as lesions in the lung and bones. A computed tomography scan revealed multiple small cystic lesions without enhancement. Histological examination revealed microscopic cysts were submucosal, with walls composed of thin fibrous tissue, and D2-40 stained highlight the lining of the lymphatic channels by immunohistochemical method. We make a comparison with the cases reported before, and also discuss the diagnose of diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis and Gorham’s disease.

Keywords: Lymphangioma; Abdominal lymphangiomatosis; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis; Gorham’s disease

Core tip: Abdominal lymphangiomatosis is extremely rare in adult patients, and the clinical symptoms of this condition are complicated and atypical. We report a case of abdominal lymphangiomatosis in a 38-year-old female who presented with intestinal bleeding and protein-losing enteropathy, as well as lesions in the lung and bones. From this case and releated the literature review, we can achieve a better understanding of this disease.