Rare Yet Relevant: Adult Onset Cervical Lymphangioma - Our Experience and Comprehensive Review

Cervical lymphangiomas are anomalies that arise from lymphatic vessels, characterized by gradual and painless growth. While predominantly located in the neck, they may also manifest in the axilla, mediastinum, groin, and abdominal organs. Cervical lymphangioma usually occurs in children and is relatively rare in adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of cervical lymphangiomas in adults. We reviewed the medical records and analysed clinical data obtained from fifteen adult patients who suffered from cervical lymphangioma and were operated from January 2021 to January 2023. Out of 15 cases, 73.3% were females and 26.7% were males. All tumours were unilaterally located. Five patients had prior history of associated dyspnoea / dysphagia. All 15 cervical lymphangiomas (100%) were adjacent to the carotid sheath .Tumour size ranged from 6 cm to 15 cm, with the maximum diameter of ≥ 15 cm in two cases, between 6 cm and 10 cm in eight cases and less than 6 cm in five cases. Further, in this study all cervical lymphangiomas were surgically excised. Postoperative courses were uneventful, and histo-pathological examinations confirmed all cases to be cystic lymphangiomas. A 6 -month follow-up in all 15 cases showed no recurrences. Overall, this study underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving clinicians, radiologists, and surgeons in the management of adult cervical lymphangiomas, with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis, appropriate classification, and tailored treatment strategies to optimize patient outcomes and minimize complications.