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HEALTH > TIMES HEALTH GUIDE > C > CYSTIC HYGROMA

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Cystic Hygroma
Overview
Alternative Names
Causes
Symptoms
Exams and Tests
Treatment
Outlook (Prognosis)
Possible Complications
When to Contact a Medical
Professional
References

Illustrations

A cystic hygroma is a growth that often occurs in the head

and neck area. It is a birth defect.

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Alternative Names

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Lymphangioma

Causes

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A cystic hygroma occurs as the baby grows in the womb. It forms from
pieces of material that carry uid and white blood cells. This material is
called embryonic lymphatic tissue.
After birth, a cystic hygroma usually looks like a soft bulge under the
skin. The cyst may not be found at birth. It typically grows as the child
grows. Sometimes it is not noticed until the child is older.

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Symptoms
Lymph Tissue in
the Head and
Neck.

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A common symptom is a neck growth. It may be found at birth, or

discovered later in an infant after an upper respiratory tract infection.

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Exams and Tests

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Sometimes, a cystic hygroma is seen using a pregnancy ultrasound, when

the baby is still in the womb. This can mean that the baby has a
chromosomal problem or other birth defects.

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The following tests may be done:

Chest x-ray

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If the cystic hygroma is detected during a pregnancy ultrasound, other

ultrasound tests or amniocentesis may be recommended.

Treatment

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Treatment involves removing all of the abnormal tissue. However, cystic

hygromas can often spread to other parts of the neck, making it
impossible to remove all of the tissue.
Other treatments have been tried with only limited success. These
include:
Chemotherapy medications

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Outlook (Prognosis)

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The outlook is good if surgery can totally remove the abnormal tissue. In
cases where complete removal is not possible, the cystic hygroma
commonly returns.
The outcome may also depend on what other chromosomal abnormalities
or birth defects, if any, are present.

Possible Complications

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Complications may include:

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Return of the cystic hygroma

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If you notice a lump in your neck or your child's neck, call your doctor.

References

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Tower RL II, Camitta BM. Abnormalities of lymphatic vessels. In:

Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook
of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 483.
Wetmore RF, Potsic WP. Dierential diagnosis of neck masses. In: Flint
PW, Haughey BH, Lund LJ, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head &
Neck Surgery . 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 198.
Richards DS. Ultrasound for pregnancy dating, growth, and the diagnosis
of fetal malformations. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds.
Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:
Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 9.
MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC

Review Date: 8/31/2011

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division
of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine;
Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center,
Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation
HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an
independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality
and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the rst to achieve this important

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