Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lymphangioma is a rare benign tumor of lymphatic system that is often diagnosed in the first few years of life. The presentation and complications depend on the site and the size of the lesion. CLINICAL DESCRIPTION: This was a term male newborn weighing 3230g born to a 38 year old para IIV mother. Delivery was spontaneous and uneventful. The neonate was active, had no gross dysmorphic feature except the huge, 20cm by 28cm cystic, non-tender mass over the left lateral chest area. DIAGNOSIS: Lymphangioma was diagnosed based on chest ultrasound, there was a large multiloculated cystic lesion over left lateral chest, and the cyst had no communication with spinal canal, and had no solid component. THERAPY: The patient was observed for complications, otherwise not needing intervention in the first few days. OUTCOMES: He developed superinfection of the mass, for which intravenous antibiotics administered, infection was controlled and surgery was postponed until a few months. However, the patient was presented with severe malnutrition at the age of three months and subsequently lost to follow up. CONCLUSION: Huge lymphangiomas at neonatal age are likely to get superinfected; a close observation for signs of complications is needed. Though surgical intervention could be postponed until the baby grows to avoid the complications of surgery, adequate counseling is needed to reassure the parents about the benign and treatable nature of the disease. And individualized decision on earlier surgical intervention has to be considered with adequate postoperative care whenever follow up is not guaranteed.