Intrauterine fetal cystic hygromas: sonographic detection

The sonographic characteristics of intrauterine cystic hygromas are described. A thin-walled, multiseptated cystic structure near the fetal head and neck and eccentrically situated with respect to the long axis of the fetus is characteristic. Another associated finding is intradermal lymphangiectasis which, when present, is though to be pathognomonic of this condition. The differential diagnosis includes neural tube defects, unusually situated umbilical cord, gastroschisis and omphalocele, an empty second gestational sac, and amniotic bands. Four cases of intrauterine fetal cystic hygroma are reported and their echographic findings illustrated.