Cystic hygroma treated with ultrasound guided interstitial photodynamic therapy: Case study

A cystic hygroma, or hygroma cysticum coli, was first described by Wernher in 1843 as a benign harmatoma of the lymphatic system [1]. They are most commonly known to affect the posterior triangle of the neck (70—80% of cases); however, the axilla, superior mediastinum and chest wall have also occasionally been involved. Although of unknown aetiology, theories suggest that they could originate from the growth arrest of primitive lymph channels. This causes the impediment of peripheral lymphatic’s resulting in the formation of fluid-filled sacs. The condition usually presents at birth or early infancy with variable size. It can be either unilocular or multilocular which in both cases transilluminate during examination. Symptoms can be severe when involving the neck giving rise to progressive airway obstruction and dysphagia and/or odynophagia. Surgical debridement or excision of small lesions has been recommended. However, large size lesions are difficult to excise due to increase risk of morbidity and disfigurement.