Hygromas, from the Greek language, means “moist or watery tumor “. In our body we have different types of blood vessels. Most people are familiar with arteries and veins but there is another system of vessels called lymphatics. These drain not blood but a clear fluid called lymph from around the body. The lymphatic vessels join together to drain into the large veins in the neck. Sometimes children are born with abnormalities in these lymphatic vessels and instead of narrow channels they form wide ones. The term cystic hygroma means ‘water filled sac’. A more accurate term is lymphatic malformation.
Is cystic hygroma a tumour ?
It is not a cancer and does not spread around the body. It is more like a type of birth mark. Growth patterns are variable and to some degree unpredictable. Lymphatic tissue generally slowly grows as the children grow and the cystic hygromas tend to grow as well. Occasionally, they regress as well.
What about treatment of cystic hygroma ?
There are 3 treatment options for any cystic hygroma.
- Simple observation: This is generally recommended for small lesions that are causing minor symptoms only.
- Surgery: If the lesion can be completely removed without damaging other structures then surgery is the ideal treatment option. Your surgeon will evaluate the lesion to identify whether this is possible and what risks are involved. In general terms large cysts (macrocysts) are more favourable to excise in the neck. If smaller cysts are left behind after surgery because they are not easy to reach or inaccessible they may never be problematic. Problems in the tongue and mouth are more difficult to remove completely although surgery definitely reduces the problems. Cysts on the tongue are best treated by laser surgery.
- Sclerotherapy: In sclerotherapy, a substance is injected into the cyst which causes inflammation. The body’s reaction to this foreign substance causes the cyst to scar down. The lymphatic malformation remains present but is scarred so it can’t fill up with fluid again. The end result is that the lump is smaller or not visible. The attraction of sclerotherapy is that it avoids surgery and often avoids a scar and risks of nerve damage are less.
Surgery and sclerotherapy are better done under general anaesthesia for most children. Unfortunately complications can occur with sclerotherapy including scarring and severe reactions.
How to find and reach pediatric surgeons for cystic hygroma surgery ?
Now you can find and reach pediatric surgeons for cystic hygroma surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple pediatric surgeons, get cost estimates for cystic hygroma surgery from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a pediatric surgeon for cystic hygroma surgery.
Find, reach and choose a pediatric surgeon for cystic hygroma surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
