Cystic Hygroma (Lymphangioma)

Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Etiology/Pathophysiology:
The lesion spreads and engulfs adjacent tissues without invading them.

Pathology:
Multilobular, multiloculated mass composed of cysts measuring 1 mm to 5 cm in diameter that contain serous fluid and are lined by lymphoendothelial tissue.

Imaging Findings:
Seventy five percent are in the neck, 20% in the axilla, and 5% in the retroperitoneum. Two to three percent of the cervical and axillary masses extend into the mediastinum.

DDX:

• Hemangioma - often calcified, causes skeletal abnormalities, see cardiomegaly and increased pulmonary blood flow if there is AV shunting.
• Thyroglossal duct cyst
• Bronchial cleft cyst
• Bronchogenic cyst
• Thymic teratoma
• Lymphoma

References:

• Correlapedia

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