Fetal Lymphatic Malformations: More Variable Than We Think?

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Radiology
• Vascular Anomalies

Background:

• Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are benign congenital anomalies arising from abnormal lymphatic and venous development.
• Prenatal diagnosis is often achieved via ultrasound, typically showing multiseptate cystic lesions without solid components or calcifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the variability in prenatal sonographic findings of lymphatic malformations.
• To highlight the importance of recognizing diverse imaging presentations for accurate diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 73 cases with prenatally detected lymphatic malformations.
• Analysis of sonographic imaging characteristics, including lesion composition, septations, and presence of calcifications.

Main Results:

• Prenatal ultrasound demonstrated greater variability in LM appearance than previously reported.
• Lesions included purely cystic types, as well as mixed cystic and solid types with calcifications.

Conclusions:

• The sonographic spectrum of prenatally detected lymphatic malformations is broader than traditionally recognized.
• Accurate prenatal diagnosis and effective patient counseling require awareness of this increased imaging variability.