Protein-loss into retroperitoneal lymphangioma: Demonstration by lymphoscintigraphy and blood-pool scintigraphy with Tc-99m-human serum albumin

A rare, benign congenital lymphangioma has been reported to occur frequentl y in the neck and axilla, but rarely in the retroperitoneal space. We repor t a case of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma associated with hypoproteinemia caused by protein-loss into the tumor. In this case, lymphoscintigraphy wit h subcutaneously injected Tc-99m-human serum albumin (HSA) disclosed the co mmunication between the tumor and the lymphatic system, and sequential abdo minal scintigraphy with intravenously injected Tc-99m-HSA revealed the prot ein loss into the tumor. Abdominal scintigraphy with Tc-99m-HSA injected in travenously or subcutaneously is occasionally useful for determining the et iology of hypoproteinemia.