PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF A MULTIFOCAL LYMPHANGIOMA

Lymphangiomas or cystic hygromas are malformations of the lymphatic ve ssels and are characterized by single or multiple cysts which have dev eloped within the soft tissues. They occur most commonly in the neck ( 75 per cent of cases) and are often associated with hydrops or chromos omal abnormalities (Romero et al., 1988). Mediastinal or abdominal loc ations are rare and represent less than 5 per cent of cases in the lit erature (Singh et al., 1971). This paper represents the first reported case of prenatal diagnosis of a lymphangioma in the neck, mediastinum , and abdomen. Diagnosis was made before fetal viability, and allowed us to recommend termination of the pregnancy because of the poor progn osis.