Lymphangioma

Excerpt

Lymphangiomas are uncommon, benign malformations of the lymphatic system that can occur anywhere on the skin and mucous membranes. Lymphangiomas can be categorized as deep or superficial based on the depth and size of the abnormal lymphatic vessels or as congenital or acquired.

The deep forms of lymphangioma include two specific well defined congenital entities: cavernous lymphangiomas and cystic hygromas. Superficial forms of lymphangioma include lymphangioma circumscriptum and acquired lymphangioma, which is also referred to in the literature as lymphangiectasia. Although both entities share similar clinical and histologic features, the term lymphangioma circumscriptum infers lymphatic channel dilation due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. Whereas, the term lymphangiectasia, or acquired lymphangioma, denotes dilated lymphatic channels of previously normal lymphatics that have become obstructed by an external cause.