A rare cause of fetal neck mass: Cervical lymphangioma

Abstract

Introduction: Fetal neck masses are rare. In general, cystic hygroma is the most frequent form of fetal neck masses. It is essential to differentiate between different pathologies since this will affect prenatal counselling, antenatal and postnatal management. We aimed to present a case of cervical lymphangioma who was referred to our perinatology outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of an occipital encephalocele. Case Presentation: A 26-year-old nulliparous woman was referred to our perinatology clinic at 38 weeks’ gestation with an ultrasound diagnosis of occipital encephalocele so that postnatal surgery could be planned at our hospital. During obstetric ultrasonography examination, we identified a 4.7×4.5 cm, multiloculated cystic mass on the left lateral side of the fetal neck. The provisional diagnosis was lymphangioma. Fetal magnetic resonance (MR) revealed a multiloculated cystic mass with smooth counters of 4.5×3.5×3.0 cm in size, originating from the soft tissues of the left side of the neck and it was not connected with the cervical spinal canal. The pathology report confirmed cervical lymphangioma. Conclusions: We would like to highlight the importance of differential diagnosis and follow up scans for any neck mass identified during scan to reach the final accurate diagnosis. This will enable that fetal neck masses could be diagnosed correctly in a more cautious manner.