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. 2013;4(2):164-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2012.11.009. Epub 2012 Nov 28.

A rare case of a giant cavernous lymphangioma of the chest wall and axilla in an adult patient

George E Philippakis  1 , Nikolaos Manoloudakis, Antonios Marinakis
Affiliations

A rare case of a giant cavernous lymphangioma of the chest wall and axilla in an adult patient

George E Philippakis et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2013.

Abstract

Introduction: Lymphangiomas are benign lesions that are most commonly encountered in the neck of small infants, but are quite uncommon in the adult population. Their removal can be quite difficult, when they reach enormous dimensions or they develop in critical locations. Complete resection is curative, but incomplete resections entail the risk of relapse. Lymphangiomas of the chest wall are quite rare.

Presentation of case: We report a case of a 35-year old man with a giant cavernous lymphangioma of the right lateral chest wall extending into the axilla, which was removed en bloc.

Discussion: These tumors of lymphatic origin tend to grow, as is the case in our patient, but they also tend to recur if not resected completely. Clinical examination and chest CT scan may provide a clue to the diagnosis.

Conclusion: Lymphangiomas of the thoracic wall are extremely rare lesions and wide resection is recommended due to the high recurrence rate of these benign lesions.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chest X-ray: a mass is evident in the right chest wall.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Chest CT scan: a soft tissue cystic mass is evident in the chest wall.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A dark colored mass is evident beneath the subcutaneous tissue.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Dissection proceeds.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Postoperative chest X-ray: the mass has been removed en bloc.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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