A case of solitary intrapulmonary lymphangioma

Abstract

Solitary lymphangioma of the lung is extremely rare. We report the case of a 15-year-old girl who underwent thoracoscopic extirpation of an intrapulmonary lymphangioma located in the left lower lobe. Chest radiograph showed a well-circumscribed spherical mass measuring 17 mm in the left lower lung field when she had a checkup for the first time in her life. Computed tomography revealed a mass lesion with clear borders and a homogeneous shadow in the left S9. Histological examination revealed thickening of the alveolar walls and expansion of lymphatic vessels, and fibrotic changes in the interstitial space of the lung. Immunohistochemically, cells lining the thickened alveolar wall were positive for D2-40, CD34, and weakly positive for α-smooth muscle actin, but negative for AE1/AE3, desmin, HMB4, and ER, PgR. Solitary lymphangioma was diagnosed based on the results of immunohistochemical studies. A monoclonal antibody, D2-40, which reacts with the lymphatic endothelium, is useful for establishing the pathological diagnosis of lymphangioma. Careful follow-up may be necessary even though recurrence has not been described, because cases of re-growth have been reported.