Positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings of multiple cystic lymphangiomas in an adult: A case report

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioma is a rare benign cystic tumor believed to be a proliferation of heterotopic lymphocytes. It is caused by congenital lymphatic dysplasia or other acquired factors related to surgery, trauma, infection, or cancer. In this article, we present the case of an adult patient who underwent multi-modal imaging and whose condition was finally confirmed to be multiple cystic lymphangiomas by pathological examination. CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year-old man was referred to our hospital for having suffered from painless gross hematuria for 2 wk. Multiple masses rising from the retroperitoneum and pelvis were found incidentally by urinary ultrasonography. Contrast-enhanced abdominal-pelvic computed tomography showed multiple well-defined hypodense cystic lesions without enhancement. The lesions showed no uptake on F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography images. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the case was confirmed as multiple cystic lymphangiomas. CONCLUSION: When retroperitoneal and pelvic masses are found, clinicians should always consider cystic lymphangioma when making a differential diagnosis.