Cystic
Hygroma: Cytological and
Radiological Co-Relation
1008-1010
Correspondence
Alka, Assistant Professor,
Department of Pathology,
Adesh Medical college and Hospital.
Bhatinda, Punjab, India-151001.
Tel: +91-9464482556
Fax: +91-0164 2742902
E-mail: gupta.dralka@yahoo.com
Aim: The aim of this study is to illustrate and discuss the pathological spectrum of radiologically diagnosed “possibility of cystic hygroma†as there is severe paucity of literature regarding this. Our purpose is to differentiate cystic hygromas from other cystic lesions like branchial cysts especially when cystic hygromas present at an unusual site and unusual age.
Materials & Methods: Total of 20 cases of radiologically diagnosed as “possibility of cystic hygroma†were aspirated using 23 guage needle. Appearance and amount of fluid aspirated was recorded and then centrifuged. Wet fixed & air dried smears were made from the sediment and were stained with Papanicolaou (Pap) stain, Haematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) stain and Giemsa stain.
Results: Cytological analysis was rendered on all the 20 cases, out of which 15 cases were diagnosed as cystic hygroma. Restof the 5 cases were diagnosed as branchial cleft cyst (2 cases), laryngocele (2 cases) and non-conclusive (1case). Out of 20 aspirates, 10 aspirates (50.0%) were from the posterior triangle of the neck, 4 aspirates (20.0%) were from the middle triangle of the neck and 4 aspirates (20.0%) were from the anterior triangle of the neck. One (5.0%) of the aspirate was from the mediastinum and one (5.0%) aspirate was from the axilla. Histopathological correlation was available for 2 of these patients and both of these were diagnosed as cystic hygroma.
Conclusion: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) along with radiological correlation serves as a highly effective and efficient modality for the confident diagnosis of cystic hygroma especially in patients with atypical presentation, age and location. It provides a safe alternative to more cumbersome and time consuming surgical modalities of diagnosis.