title: Progressive fetal axillary cystic lymphangioma with coexistent naevus flammeus.
abstract: We report the rare occurrence of a progressive fetal axillary cystic lymphangioma coexistent with an overlying naevus flammeus. The fetus at 22 weeks' gestation was found to have a 37 x 35 mm left axillary multiloculated mass without colour-flow imaging. Amniocentesis showed a normal 46,XX karyotype. Multiple fine-needle aspirations of the mass in the second and third trimesters obtained blood-stained chocolate-coloured fluid containing numerous erythrocytes and lymphocytes but proved ineffective in lessening the progressive growth of the mass. The mother underwent caesarean delivery and a healthy neonate was born with a 141 x 81 mm left axillary cystic lymphangioma and a 50 x 35 mm coexistent naevus flammeus. The neonate was well after simple excision of the lesions. Although cystic lymphangiomas arising in the axilla enlarge progressively during fetal life, our case suggests a good prognosis and except for genetic evaluation, no prenatal intervention is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal