Introduction: Cystic hygroma or lymphangioma occurs because of faulty development of lymph vessels.There is either sequestration or obstruction of the developing vessels.It occurs 1 in 12000 of births every year.
Commonest sites are:
Posterior triangle of the neck
Axilla
Groin
Mediastinum
(though it can occur anywhere in the body)
Age at presentation:
It may appear at birth or can rapidly increase in size over first few months of life.Generally it is disease of infants.
Diagnosis:
Prenatal Ultrasonography
swelling at the time of delivery
Complications:
If the swelling is very large,it can cause compression over the trachea & airway compromise
Infection
Hemorrhage
Treatment:
Injection sclerotherapy
Surgical excision
Principle of surgery:
Total removal of all gross disease without damaging vital structures.
Recurrence rate: 20% with subtotal excision.
