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.