Diagnostic value of CT lymphangiography about lymphatic flow disorder of lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of CT lymphangiography (CTL) about lymphatic flow disorder of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) . Methods A retrospective review of the clinical and radiological data of 21 patients with LAM proved by pathology and clinical results.The findings of CTL were analyzed by 2 doctors. Results (1) The thoracic features of patients with LAM included multiple cysts of lung (n=21),thoracic duct outlet obstruction (n=15),hyperdense shadow of mediastinum (n=13),bronchovascular bundle and lobular kernel thinkening (n=11),interlobular septal thickening (n=13),interlobar fissure thickening (n=18),consolidation or ground-glass opacity of lung (n=7),pleural thickening (n=19),pericardium thickening or pericardial effusion (n=6),pneumothorax (n=2),pleural effusion (n=21),abnormal deposition of contrast medium (n=16),mediastinum and axilla lymphadenopathy (n=4). (2) The other associated extrathoracic abnormalities included retroperitoneal angiolymphoma and (or) lymphangiomyoma (n=16),abnormal deposition of contrast medium (n=21),abdominal effusion (n=10),mesentery lymphedema (n=4),renal and hepatic angiomyolipoma (n=5),ovary teratoma (n=1),hysteromyoma (n=2),abnormal density of bone (n=7). Conclusions Multiple organs were involved in the LAM,which suggests that LAM maybe one kinds of systemic diseases with close relation with lymphatic flow disorders.CTL can clearly show the exact location and extent of lymphatic flow disorder,which provides important information for diagnosis and therapy of LAM. Key words: Lymphangiomyoma; Lymphography; Tomography,X-ray computed