A cystic hygroma is a mass that commonly occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect.
Alternative NamesLymphangioma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA cystic hygroma occurs as the baby grows in the womb. It forms from pieces of material that carry fluid and white blood cells. Such 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 recognized at birth. It typically grows as the child does, and sometimes is not noticed until the child is older.
Sometimes, a cystic hygroma is seen when the baby is still in the womb using a pregnancy ultrasound. This can mean that the baby has a chromosomal problem or other birth defects.
SymptomsA common symptom is a neck mass found at birth, or discovered later in an infant after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Signs and testsThe following tests may be done:
If the cystic hygroma is detected during a pregnancy ultrasound, other ultrasound tests or amniocentesis may be recommended.
TreatmentTreatment involves complete removal of the abnormal tissue whenever possible. However, cystic hygromas can often invade other neck structures, making this impossible.
Other treatments have been attempted with only limited success. These include:
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.
ComplicationsComplications may include:
If you notice a lump in your neck or your child's neck, call your doctor.
ReferencesCamitta BM. Abnormalities of lymphatic vessels. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 489.
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.
A cystic hygroma is a growth that often occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect.
Alternative NamesLymphangioma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA cystic hygroma occurs as the baby grows in the womb. It forms from pieces of material that carry fluid 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.
SymptomsA common symptom is a neck growth. It may be found at birth, or discovered later in an infant after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Signs and testsSometimes, a cystic hygroma is seen when the baby is still in the womb using a pregnancy ultrasound. This can mean that the baby has a chromosomal problem or other birth defects.
The following tests may be done:
If the cystic hygroma is detected during a pregnancy ultrasound, other ultrasound tests or amniocentesis may be recommended.
TreatmentTreatment 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:
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.
ComplicationsComplications may include:
If you notice a lump in your neck or your child's neck, call your doctor.
ReferencesTower 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. Differential 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.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/31/2011
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.
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Normally diagnosed between 9 and 16 weeks' gestation.
A cystic foci, or cystic focus, is when an ultrasound identifies a finding that is cystic-like. It mean there's a tiny collection of fluid wherever the cystic focus was found.
cystic mass
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cystic fibrosis (:cystic fibrosis :)cystic fibrosis ^-^
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Is a carrier of cystic fibrosis
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