Spontaneous regression of a cystic tumor in a postpartum woman; is it a cystic lymphangioma?

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of intra-abdominal cystic tumors in adults is unusual. Here, we present the case of an apparently spontaneous regression of a large intra-abdominal cystic mass found in the postpartum period of an 18-year-old woman. The regression was demonstrated using serial computed tomography (CT) examinations over a two-year period.

Fig. 1

Coronal (A) and axial (B) view of contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrating a large, multilobulated, multilocular, heterogeneous cystic mass with internal septa in the right upper quadrant abdomen. On axial T2-weighted spin echo image (8000/105) with fat suppression (C) and axial T1-weighted incoherent gradient-echo (SPGR) images (230/4.2) (D), the signal intensity of the upper portions of the fluid within the cysts showed high signal intensity, and the area of the lower portions of fluid showed low signal intensity.

Fig. 2

Follow-up CT scan two years after initial examination shows marked regression of the mass with a tiny remaining cystic lesion in the right upper quadrant abdomen.