Rapid growing pulmonary cavernous lymphangioma after chronic process for ten years.

INTRODUCTION: Solitary cavernous lymphangioma is very rare disease characterized by abnormally proliferating lymphatic vessels. We report a 49-year-old woman with a cavernous pulmonary lymphangioma showing rapid growth after remaining indolent for 10 years.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: Chest computed tomography revealed a solitary, poorly demarcated mass in the left lower lobe; however, the tumour grew in size over the next 6 months. A left lower lobectomy was performed following suspected lung cancer. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the resected specimens revealed a pulmonary cavernous lymphangioma.

DISCUSSION: It is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of solitary cavernous lymphangioma by imaging findings, therefore a surgical resection is recommended as the diagnostic and therapeutic modality.

CONCLUSION: A pulmonary lymphangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly growing tumour.