Imaging features of cervical lymphangiomas as a cause of respiratory distress and vascular-lymphatic disturbance.

Objective: Our aim is to present the imaging features of cervical lymphangiomas, which may be related with respiratory and vascular disturbances.

Materials And Methods: Nine patients with cervical lymphangioma were evaluated with ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While one case was a fetus in the second trimester, eight cases with tracheal stenosis were neonates or in childhood.

Results: One case was diagnosed in utero with US. All lymphangiomas were hypoechoic on the US and were of low-density (20-25 HU) on the CT. They showed a heterogeneous hypo- or hyperintense signal on T1-weighted MR images and a heterogeneous hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images. Upon contrast-enhanced CT and MR imaging, mild contrast enhancements were detected, particularly on the thick septations.

Conslusion: Cervical lymphangiomas present as cystic lesions with septations, and they may cause respiratory distress or vascular-lymphatic disturbance.