Ultrasound Diagnosis of Infantile Axillary Cystic Hygroma

Abstract: Cystic hygroma or cystic lymphangioma is a rare d e v e l o p m e n t a l c o n g e n i t a l l y m p h a t i c malformation. It is most commonly related to thorax and neck region but it can also involve axilla, mediastinum, limbs and face. It is characterized by multiloculated cystic lesion of variable sizes. Ultrasound is very important in the diagnosis of prenatal cystic hygroma but it is also important in the characterization and differential diagnosis of cystic hygroma postnatally. In radiology department CT and MRI is done for the differentiation of cystic hygroma from other cystic lesions but due to the hazardous effects of these modalities it is important to give preference to ultr a s ound i n t h e di a g n o s i s o f c y s ti c lymphangioma. Some international studies are available on the cystic hygroma of the axillary region in infants but no local studies are published on the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of cystic hygroma in infants. Methods: We present a case of axillary cystic hygroma in infant of 3 months, diagnosed with ultrasound. An infant was brought to Gilani Ultrasound Center by his grandmother with a mass in the right axillary region, to search for its possible cause and extension to the adjacent organs. We diagnosed it as cystic hygroma with certainty by Ultrasound. The result was later on conrmed by surgery in children Hospital Lahore. characterization and diagnosis of cystic hygroma in infants. Conclusions: U ltr a s o u n d i s m o r e i m p o rt a n t i n t h e Cystic hygroma, Cystic lymphangioma, Axillary CH, Infantile cystic hygroma, Macrocystic lesion, septated non-septated cystic hygroma.