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Cystic Hygroma

Aaron D Lanik, M.D. Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Benign congenital lymphatic mass (LM) that is cystic in nature

    • Most commonly found in the posterior triangle of the neck (75%)

    • Can be found in other sites of the body, including the ax...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Dependent on the anatomic subsite, 75% occur in posterior triangle of the neck.

  • Patients may present with new-onset obstructive sleep apnea or other signs of potentially life-threateni...

TREATMENT

Thorough initial assessment of LMs is important to determine degree of functional impairment and disfigurement and to stage lesions. 
ALERT

Referral to an otolaryngologist is recommended for p...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Routine follow-up with surgical team

  • Encourage regular dental health maintenance, especially for intraoral lesions.

  • Avoid trauma to the area directly surrounding LM...

REFERENCES

1
Grande  M, Jansen  FA, Blumenfeld  YJ, et al. Genomic microarray in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype: a systematic review and meta-an...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bajaj  Y, Hewitt  R, Ifeacho  S, et al. Surgical excision as primary treatment modality for extensive cervicofacial lymphatic malformations in children. I...

CODES

ICD10

D18.1 Lymphangioma, any site 

SNOMED

399882002 Cystic hygroma 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • A cystic hygroma is a soft, smooth, nontender, and compressible mass that transilluminates; most commonly, it is found in the posterior triangle of the neck.

  • LMs noted at birth or early...

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