Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
Prenatal growth characteristics of lymphatic malformations
William H Peranteau1, Suzanne D Iyoob1, Matthew M Boelig1
1The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Purpose:
The natural history of prenatally diagnosed lymphatic malformations (LM) remains unknown. The ability to predict growth of a lesion is important to prenatal counseling and any future prenatal intervention. We describe the prenatal growth patterns of LMs as they relate to gestational age, anatomical location, and postnatal management.
Methods:
A retrospective review of fetuses prenatally diagnosed with an LM who were followed with serial ultrasounds from 2003 to 2014 was performed with attention to the growth of the lesion as indicated by the lesion volume ratio (LVR).
Results:
Thirty patients with LM had serial ultrasound measurements between 19 and 39weeks gestation. The LVR increased in 53%, decreased in 23%, and remained stable in 23% of fetuses from the initial to the final ultrasound. Unlike other locations that demonstrated both positive and negative growth profiles, axillary lesions only demonstrated increased growth. Lesions with positive growth increased throughout gestation (peak LVR at 35±3weeks). Twenty-four patients had postnatal interventions, including surgical resection, sclerotherapy, and surgery + sclerotherapy.
Conclusion:
LMs have variable prenatal growth profiles. The majority of lesions, especially axillary LMs, will continue to grow throughout gestation and will not reach a growth plateau until the end of gestation.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III (Retrospective cohort study).
Related Concept Videos
01:15Development of the Lymphatic System
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
01:16Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular...
01:23Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes
From a histological perspective, lymph nodes can be split into two main areas: the superficial cortex and the deep medulla. The outer cortex is populated by dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, which are densely packed into follicles. When these B-lymphocytes are presented...