Intrathoracic extra-mediastinal cystic hygroma in infancy.
An infant with intrathoracic extra-mediastinal cystic hygroma is described. Fluid collection within the fetal chest was noted on routine antenatal ultrasound scan and this was subsequently drained. Postnatally, echocardiogram and thoracic CT scan demonstrated a cystic space between the pericardium and right mediastinal pleura. Thoracotomy performed at six weeks of age showed a multiloculated cystic mass adherent to the right pericardium and to the medial aspect of the diaphragm. Histology revealed the tumour to be a cystic hygroma (lymphangioma). Intrathoracic cystic hygroma occurring outside the mediastinum is extremely rare and has never been diagnosed previously in infancy.
Department of Neonatology, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
J M
JM
Kirk
C
C
Delahunty
K H
KH
Nicolaides
E H
EH
Dykes
H R
HR
Gamsu
D006801:Humans; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed