title: Impact of magnetic resonance imaging on the surgical management of cystic hygromas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The surgical management of cystic hygromas can be challenging, and accurate diagnosis and anatomic localization is essential. The literature on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric cystic hygromas is sparse and mostly limited to radiological descriptions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors present five cases of cystic hygromas in children ranging in age from 1 to 13 years. The preoperative MRI scans and patient charts were reviewed with attention to the clinical, radiological, surgical, and histological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI produced highly detailed multiplanar renderings of the cystic hygromas that were both diagnostic and predictive of the subsequent intraoperative findings. This modality helped specifically in some cases to identify lesion extensions that required specific surgical attention. There were no recurrences or complications at a mean follow-up of 18 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of MRI in cystic hygromas can facilitate accurate diagnosis and assist in the preoperative planning, thereby contributing to the successful treatment of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poenaru
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Soboleski
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kamal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies