Langerin staining identifies most littoral cell angiomas but not most other splenic angiomatous lesions

Littoral cell angioma of the spleen: A study of 10 cases case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

Current study aimed to investigate the clinical characterization, differential diagnosis, and treatment of splenic littoral cell angioma (LCA).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed for 10 LCA cases admitted to Huzhou Central Hospital from 2007 to 2023, for clinical manifestations, hematological tests, imaging features, pathological features, treatment methods, and prognosis along with the relevant literature was also reviewed.

RESULTS

During examinations, no specific clinical manifestations and hematological abnormalities were seen in all 10 cases of LCA. Imaging observations depicted single or even multiple spherical lesions in the spleen. Plains shown by computed tomography (CT) were found somewhat equal or slightly lower in density. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plain scans viz. T1 weighted image showed equal low and mixed signals while T2-weighted showed high and low mixed signals. Moreover, punctate low signals could be seen in high signals named "freckle sign" in MRI scans. On contrast-enhanced CT scans, the enhancement of the lesions was not obvious in the arterial phase, and some of the lesions showed edged ring-like enhancements and "filling lake" progressive enhancement during the venous phase and delayed phase. In multiple lesions, the number of enhanced scan lesions showed a variable changing pattern "less-more-less." MRI-enhanced scan showed the characteristics of "fast in and slow out." Microscopic examinations identified tumor tissue actually composed of sinus-like lacunae that anastomosed with each other in the form of a network. Furthermore, cystic expansion and pseudopapillary protrusions were also seen in the dilated sinus cavity which was lined with single-layer endothelial cells having conspicuous cytoplasmic hemosiderin. High immunophenotypic expressions of vascular endothelial cell phenotype (CD31, CD34, FVIII) and tissue cell phenotype (CD68) were also seen. Total and partial splenectomy were performed in 8 and 2 patients, respectively, and follow-up examinations showed survival in all patients with no recurrence.

CONCLUSION

LCA is a rare splenic benign lesion with atypical clinical manifestations. CT and MRI imaging are important tools in preoperative diagnosis based on pathomorphological and immunohistochemical examinations. Splenectomy is a superior therapeutic choice with significant impacts and prognosis.

Clinical Landscape of Littoral Cell Angioma in the Spleen Based on a Comprehensive Analysis

Objective

Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is currently considered to be a rare splenic tumor with malignant potential. As the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, treatment, and prognosis remain unclear, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of LCA have not been standardized. Hence, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 189 observational studies comprising 435 patients to improve the current status of diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, WanFang and CNKI were searched from inception to May 2021 to identify LCA studies that were published in English and Chinese. The clinical information of LCA patients were extracted and analyzed.

Results

The LCA has a male-to-female ratio of 0.90 and a solitary-to-multiple ratio of 0.31. In terms of clinical features, 69.7% of the patients showed splenomegaly, 49.7% were asymptomatic, and 39.2% experienced epigastric discomfort. As the imaging findings of patients with LCA were nonspecific, an image-guided biopsy (10/12) was a safe and effective method for diagnosing in this condition. Notably, results of the prognostic analysis indicated that LCA has a lower risk of recurrence and metastasis. The patient may develop a stable disease or the tumor will grow but will not metastasize. Besides, the novel immunohistochemical pattern of LCA was described as CD31⁺/ERG⁺/FVIII Antigen⁺/CD68⁺/CD163⁺/lysozyme⁺/CD8⁻/WT1⁻.

Conclusion

LCA should be reconsidered as a benign primary splenic vascular neoplasm, which is more like an intra-splenic manifestation of abnormal body function. Image-guided biopsy with follow-up might be a beneficial choice for LCA patients. For LCA patients with abdominal discomfort, pathological uncertainty or continuous tumor enlargement, splenectomy remains the preferred treatment.

Rare case of littoral cell angioma recognised on CT simulation for adjuvant radiation treatment for early stage breast cancer

A 63-year-old woman with pathological anatomic/prognostic stage IA ER+/PR+/HER2- multifocal invasive mammary carcinoma with mixed ductal and lobular features of the left breast underwent lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. During evaluation of the CT simulation for adjuvant radiation (RT) treatment planning, a liver lesion and splenomegaly were noted. A subsequent MRI abdomen revealed a large, indeterminate splenic lesion with a wide differential and a benign liver cyst. The patient ultimately underwent splenectomy, with pathology consistent with littoral cell angioma, a rare entity associated with several malignancies. At last follow-up, 7 months after completion of RT, she remained cancer free while on anastrazole and was doing well clinically.