Abdominal cystic lymphangioma

December 31, 2014

Synonyms

Overview

Abdominal cystic lymphangioma ia a rare form of benign tumor that occurs in infants. It is essentially a malformation of one of the abdominal lymph vessels where a portion is dilated and form a lymph fluid-filled cyst. Symptoms may vary depending on the exact location and size of the cyst.

Symptoms

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Abdominal cystic lymphangioma includes

Intestinal obstruction
Abdominal distension
Lymphoedema in the legs
Compression of nearby organs
Asymptomatic
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Fever
Peritonitis

Note that Abdominal cystic lymphangioma symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Abdominal cystic lymphangioma signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.

Causes

The main cause of this condition is the blockage of lymphatic system. It occurs as the fetus is developed and the symptoms appear when the baby is born. The blockage of the lymphatic system is attributed to the maternal alcohol use and viral infections. The lymph sac remains separated from the rest of lymphatic system.

The cystic hygroma occurs during the first two trimesters of pregnancy and is associated with the genetic disorders like Noonan syndrome and trisomies of few chromosomes. The turner and Down syndrome of chromosomal aneuploidy are also found in some patients of cystic hygroma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of abdominal cystic lymphangioma can be made with the use of ultrasonography. The more severe cases which involve intrasystic hemorrhaging are harder to diagnose. When this case presents itself, it is best to opt for celioscopy and computed tomography. It is believed that through the use of these two other techniques, a more precise analysis can be made. Once a diagnosis has been made, proper treatments follow.

Prognosis

The prognosis for lymphangioma circumscriptum and cavernous lymphangioma is generally excellent. This condition is associated with minor bleeding, recurrent cellulitis, and lymph fluid leakage. Two cases of lymphangiosarcoma arising from lymphangioma circumscriptum have been reported; however, in both of the patients, the preexisting lesion was exposed to extensiveradiation therapy.

In cystic hygroma, large cysts can cause dysphagia, respiratory problems, and serious infection if they involve the neck. Patients with cystic hygroma should receive cytogenetic analysis to determine if they have chromosomal abnormalities, and parents should receive genetic counseling because this condition can recur in subsequent pregnancies.

Complications after surgical removal of cystic hygroma include damage to the structures in the neck, infection, and return of the cystic hygroma.

Treatment

Eneucleation is a good treatment whenever possible. Abdominal cystic lymphangioma can also be treated through surgery. The surgical procedure aims to make a resection of the remote lymphangioma. There is good prognosis after the surgery. There are many ways of searching for a competent surgeon to do the procedure. It is best to scout around for the best and, if possible, more affordable professional that is available. An easy way to do this is to look for surgeons online and to review their credentials. Therapies can also be done to aid in stabilizing the condition of the patient.