PROGRESSIVE FETAL AXILLARY CYSTIC LYMPHANGIOMA WITH COEXISTENT NEVUS-FLAMMEUS

We report the rare occurrence of a progressive fetal axillary cystic l ymphangioma coexistent with an overlying naevus flammeus. The fetus at 22 weeks' gestation was found to have a 37 x 35 mm left axillary mult iloculated mass without colour-flow imaging. Amniocentesis showed a no rmal 46,XX karyotype. Multiple fine-needle aspirations of the mass in the second and third trimesters obtained blood-stained chocolate-colou red fluid containing numerous erythrocytes and lymphocytes but proved ineffective in lessening the progressive growth of the mass. The mothe r underwent caesarean delivery and a healthy neonate was born with a 1 41 x 81 mm left axillary cystic lymphangioma and a 50 x 35 mm coexiste nt naevus flammeus. The neonate was well after simple excision of the lesions. Although cystic lymphangiomas arising in the axilla enlarge p rogressively during fetal life, our case suggests a good prognosis and except for genetic evaluation, no prenatal intervention is required.