Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
Lymphangioma is a lymphatic malformation, a benign proliferation of lymph vessels, forming a yellowish tumor on the skin, composed of a mass of dilated lymph vessels. It is often removed by a form of surgery using an electric current electrocoagulation for cosmetic reasons. It is rare, incidence being estimated at around one per 10,000 live births. Lymphangiomas are fluid-filled sacs resulting from blockage of the lymphatic system, and are often associated with karyotype abnormalities such as Turner syndrome.
These tumors may occur anywhere, but around 75% occur in the head and neck regions, with a predilection for the left side. Most (around 90%) are either evident at birth or become evident before age two years. The three types of lymphangioma are Cystic lymphangioma (or Cystic Hygroma), Lymphangioma cavernosum, and Lymphangioma circumscriptum. The tumor is a hamartoma, or vascular developmental abnormality arising from lymphatic vessels, appearing as a raised, soft, shaggy, bubbly, pinkish-white lesion; cosmetic considerations may warrant attempted removal of lymphangiomas.
One of many small oval structures that filter the lymph, fight infection and in which there are formed white blood cells and blood plasma cells. They come in various sizes, they can range from being as small as a pin head or as big as a bean. Each node is enclosed in a fibrous capsule and consist of closely packed white cells(lymphocytes) connected tissue and lymph path ways. Most lymph nodes are clustered in certain areas, such as mouth, neck, lower armpit and groin. For example visceral lymph nodes filter lymph circulating in the lymphatic vessels of the viscera of the chest, lower body and pelvis. The lymphatic network and nodes of the breast are especially crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in women also called lymph gland.
Lymphangioma circumscriptum may occur. This condition is associated with minor bleeding, recurrent cellulitis, and lymph fluid leakage. Two cases of lymphangiosarcoma arising from lymphangioma circumscriptum have been reported. Both patients were exposed to an x-ray therapy.It did not help the patients and caused difficulties so radiation therapy should be avoided in lymphangiomas. In cystic hygroma, large cysts can cause dysphagia, respiratory problems, and serious infection if they involve the neck. Cystic hygroma can be associated with the following congenital disorders: Turner syndrome Chromosomal aneuploidy Hydrops fetalis Down syndrome and other disorders Fetal alcohol syndrome Noonan syndrome Several other congenital syndromes Patients with cystic hygroma should go through cytogenetic analysis for chromosomal aneuploidy. Parents should get genetic counseling because this abnormality can recur in any other pregnancies that the mother may have.[5] Complications that may happen after cystic hygroma is removed are:Bleeding,Damage to structures in the neck caused by surgery,infection,and return of the cystic hygroma.[6]
The reason that these embryonic lymph sacs remain disconnected from the rest of the lymphatic system is not known.[7] Cystic Hygroma is a birth defect.It occurs as the baby grows in the womb from pieces of material that carry fluid and white blood cells. This material is called embryonic lymphatic tissue.After the child is born,cystic hygroma usually looks like a soft bulge under the skin. Sometimes the cyst is not noticeable right after the birth, it may appear later on in the child’s life.[8]
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