What is a lymphatic malformation?
A lymphatic malformation is a mass in the head or neck that results from an abnormal formation of lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels are small canals that lie near blood vessels and help carry tissue fluids from within the body to the lymph nodes and back to the bloodstream. There are two main types of lymphatic malformations: • lymphangioma – a group of lymphatic vessels that form a mass or lump. A cavernous lymphangioma contains greatly enlarged lymphatic vessels. • cystic hygroma – a large cyst or pocket of lymphatic fluid that results from blocked lymphatic vessels. A cystic hygroma may contain multiple cysts connected to each other by the lymphatic vessels. Nearly all cystic hygromas occur in the neck, although some lymphangiomas can occur in the mouth, cheek, and tissues surrounding the ear, as well as other parts of the body. Over half of lymphatic malformations are congenital (present at birth), and most are detected by age 2. Some lymphatic malformations can spread into surr
