Cavernous Lymphangioma of the Neck: An Extraordinary Case

Cervical lymphangioma is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system that shows a predilection for the head and neck regions. They are most common in children between the ages of three and five and are rarely present in adults. While over 90% of lymphatic malformations are congenital, they can also manifest later due to factors such as trauma, infection, tumors, or medical procedures. They are often asymptomatic, but symptoms, if present, vary depending on the location of the tumor. Imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and computed tomography can aid in accurately mapping the extent and location of the lesion, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. Complete surgical removal is regarded as the optimal approach to treatment. The following case presents a 35-year-old hypertensive female patient with swelling in the right side of the neck for the past seven months and diagnosed as a branchial cleft cyst with the help of ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the neck. A complete surgical excision of the right submandibular gland was done, and a histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a cavernous lymphangioma. The unusual age group of presentation with no associated symptoms makes this case a rare find.