Cystic Lymphangioma of the Kidney

Han, Kyung Seok; Cho, Kang Su; Im, Young Jae; Hong, Sung Joon

Abstract

A lymphangioma is a benign tumor and predisposed to the neck and the axillary region. A lymphangioma of the kidney is a very rare and seen as multilocular cysts in imaging studies, and are difficult to differentiate from other malignant cystic diseases. A 53 year-old man was referred for known right renal cysts. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a 4.0x3.6cm multiloculated cystic mass in the right upper pole of the kidney and 2.3cm sized simple cyst in the ipsilateral mid pole. Malignant cystic diseases could not be excluded from the radiological studies. He underwent a radical nephrectomy. Gross examinations revealed a multilocular cyst protruding from the renal parenchyme. The multilocular cyst was located in the upper pole of the kidney, with another simple cyst in the mid pole. Microscopic examinations showed that attenuated flat to cuboidal cells paved the multilocular cyst, but no nephron was seen in the cystic wall. A distinct thick fibromuscular bundle represented a large lymphatic channel. These findings were compatible with a lymphangioma.