The mediastinum is displaced to the right by a superior mediastinal mass. The trachea is displaced and compressed. There is subtle asymmetry of the soft tissues of the upper limbs, with increased density seen on the left.
A CT scan was performed which showed a cystic superior mediastinal mass, and hypertrophy of the left upper limb.
Cystic hygroma (lymphatic vascular malformation) is a rare benign lesion, accounting for 1-5% of mediastinal tumours. Most are detected by age two, presenting with pain, dyspnoea, infection, haemorrhage or respiratory compromise. Cystic hygroma is more common in the neck and axilla, with only 5% of cases limited to the mediastinum.
Lymphatic vascular malformations may be mixed with other forms of vascular malformation, including capillary or venous. There is an association with limb hypertrophy.
Usually well-circumscribed and of fluid density, cystic hygromas may also have an infiltrative appearance, and may be uni- or multilocular. The density can also be variable with a combination of fluid, soft-tissue density and fat.
Management may be by surgical excision or by injection with OK-432, a preparation containing Streptococcus pyogenes antigens, which induces an inflammatory response and subsequent obliteration of the abnormal cavities. OK-432 injection was performed in this case, with good initial results.
Reference: Webb WR, Higgins CB. Thoracic Imaging: Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Radiology. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2005.
Credit: Dr Laughlin Dawes
