Giant cervical lymphangioma in a pediatric patient: a case report

Abstract

Lymphangiomas  are  rare  benign  congenital  malformations  of  the  lymphatic  system.  They  vary  in  size  and can cause compressive symptoms, potentially putting the patient’s life at risk. Surgery is considered the  most  effective  therapeutic  option.  We  present  the  case  of  a  one-year-old  patient  from  Pucallpa,  Peru,  admitted  to  Hospital  Amazónico  with  a  deforming  right  cervical  mass  consistent  with  cystic  lymphangioma and signs of local necrosis. The patient exhibited symptoms of dysphagia, spontaneous crying, pain, hyporexia, cough, and fever. Open surgery was performed, achieving complete excision of the mass while preserving the adjacent nervous and vascular structures. Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangioma. The patient evolved favorably, being discharged 8 days post-surgery. No complications were observed during the one-year follow-up period. In this case, pathological examination of the mass established the diagnosis of lymphangioma, and open surgery allowed for complete tumor removal without major complications. It is hoped that the clinical experience presented will aid in the effective management of pediatric lymphangioma cases with similar presentations.