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.