It is well recognized in pediatric practice but seldom presents in adulthood. Differential diagnosis for a cystic hygroma includes soft tissue sarcoma abscess synovial cyst and hematoma. Hygromas are probably the result of sequestration of fetal lymphatic tissue that has retained its potential for growth.
The Radiology Assistant Anatomy And Pathology
Cystic hygroma also known as cystic or nuchal lymphangioma refers to the congenital macrocystic lymphatic malformations that most commonly occur in the cervicofacial regions particularly at the posterior cervical triangle in infants.
Cystic hygroma is a type of lymphangioma with large dilated cystic lymph spaces which usually occur in the neck or axillae in infants.
The mediastinal type of cystic hygroma is rare less than 1 and is usually not discovered until adulthood because of its asymptomatic nature and deep location. Of dilated lymphatic channels. Cystic hygroma is a common and distinct entity that is not manifested in the oral cavity but occurs in the neck as a large deep They are usually found in the posterior triangle of the neck. They often cross the midline reaching axilla and mediastinum.
Abstract and Figures Cystic hygromas are benign lesions arising due to an abnormality in lymphatic development and only rarely present in adults.
Adequate radiological imaging prior to surgery is. Cystic hygroma also known as cystic or nuchal lymphangioma refers to the congenital macrocystic lymphatic malformations that most commonly occur in the cervicofacial regions particularly at the posterior cervical triangle in infants. Cystic hygroma CH is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the lymphatic channels that occurs mainly in children. CH is usually found in the cervical axillary inguinal retroperitoneal or thoracic region.
The vast majority of patients with subdural hygroma are asymptomatic without radiographic evidence of mass-effect and thus neurosurgical intervention is rarely required 5.
In cases where mass-effect is radiographically demonstrated it may be neurosurgically evacuated 5. Imaging differential considerations include. Typically comprised of thin-walled cystic masses and can be classified according to the size of the cystic lesions 6. Previously known as cystic hygroma cystic lymphangioma although a term still commonly used when large in the cervical region.
Mean diameter of cystic lesions 1 cm.
Ultrasound imaging is the most common means of diagnosing cystic hygromas. Doctors usually diagnose cystic hygromas when the fetus is still in the womb often during a routine abdominal ultrasound. Cystic hygroma is a benign tumor of lymphatic tissue. It usually develops before the second year of life and is rarely seen in adults.
A 26-year-old woman was referred to our clinic with a swelling in the left supraclavicular region which had appeared 5 months earlier and grown rapidly.
Cystic hygroma in adults Although cystic hygroma is well recognized in pediatric practice it seldom presents de novo in adulthood 14. Cystic hygroma is very rare in adults but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adult neck swellings. The cause of cystic hygroma in the adult population is controversial. Cystic hygroma is an aberrant proliferation of lymphatic vessels resulting from abnormal development of the lymphatic system12.
Within the literature the term cystic hygroma is used interchangeably with lymphangioma and lymphatic malformation134.
Cystic hygroma could be classified into septated multiloculated or non-septated single. Cystic hygroma was first described in 1828 and referred to as a moist tumor1Today this benign developmental tumor is recognized as a lymphatic malformation also known as a lymphangioma. Cystic hygroma is a rare congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. In most centers surgical excision is considered to be the optimal mode of treatment.
Spontaneous resolution of cystic hygroma was briefly described in the literature with unsatisfactory results.
Between 1970 and 2003 14 patients were diagnosed to have cystic hygroma 13 cervical and 1 axillary. Abstract Cystic hygroma is the most frequent fetal neck mass in first-trimester ultrasound US. It consists of fluid-filled posterior or posterolateral cavities in the neck. The overall prognosis is poor as there is a high association with chromosomal and structural anomalies and progression to hydrops and fetal demise.
Rare cases may resolve and show a.
Cystic hygromaslymphangiomas are extremely rare malformations in adults. They are usually seen in infants and children under 2 years of age. En bloc resection is difficult due to the adhesive characteristics of the tumors. Inadequate surgical intervention often leads to recurrent disease.
Cystic hygroma belongs to a group of diseases recognized as lymphatic malformations and is also known as macrocystic lymphatic malformation or cystic lymphangiomaIn cystic hygroma shown in the ultrasonograms below cavernous lymphatic spaces communicate and grow to form large cysts that can infiltrate the surrounding tissue.
