title: Cystic hygroma.
abstract: Cystic hygroma (CH) is a benign, developmental condition of unknown etiology. 90% of the cases are present by age 2. CH represents malformed lymphatics that fail to communicate with larger veins and, therefore, they collect lymph. It is a type of lymphangioma. The clinical presentation is one of a painless, soft mass that reaches a giant size and can lead to the death of the infant. The diagnosis is done with CT scan and biopsy. We report a severe case of CH and describe the difficult surgical treatment, despite the benign nature of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Velez
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mintz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery