Published online May 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i17.5442
Peer-review started: December 10, 2014
First decision: December 26, 2014
Revised: January 17, 2015
Accepted: February 11, 2015
Article in press: February 11, 2015
Published online: May 7, 2015
Hemolymphangioma is a malformation of both lymphatic vessels and blood vessels. Splenic hemolymphangioma is extremely rare. Herein, we present a case of 62-year-old woman with ambiguous upper quadrant abdominal pain for two months who was found to have an occupying lesion in the spleen on computed tomography. She was eventually diagnosed with hemolymphangioma of the spleen. The patient underwent total splenectomy. Neither symptoms nor recurrence was found during the one-year follow-up period.
Core tip: We report an extremely rare case of splenic hemolymphangioma. Computed tomography findings of splenic hemolymphangioma include single or multiple hypodense cysts occupying the spleen, without enhancement, which are correlated with pathologic configuration. However, it is difficult to establish an accurate preoperative diagnosis according to radiological features. Pathologic examination is essential for diagnosis. The most effective treatment for splenic hemolymphangioma is complete resection of the tumor.