Cystic hygroma: Clinical, ultrasonographic, and cytological co-relation

Abstract

Cystic hygromas are rare, congenital, benign lesions occurring early in life, mainly in the head, neck, and oral cavity. It is an aberrant proliferation of lymphatic vessels resulting from abnormal development of the lymphatic system. Lymphangiomas are classified as microcystic, macrocystic, and cystic hygromas according to the size of the lymphatic cavities incorporated. They are soft, vary in size and shape, and tend to grow extensively if not surgically excised. They are multilocular cysts filled with clear or yellow lymph fluid. Histopathologically, lymphangiomas are of three types: Lymphangioma simplex, cavernous lymphangioma, and cystic hygroma depending on the size of vascular spaces and thickness of the adventitia. The present report describes a case of cystic hygroma of the left posterior region of jaw in an 11-year-old male child and its clinical, ultrasonographic, and cytological correlation.