Cystic hygroma of the skull base

Cystic hygroma is a benign developmental tumor formed by lymph vessels that occurs in 1 of 12 000 individuals and presents most: frequently in the hea d and neck. It is often difficult to manage because the tumor frequently en velopes nearby vital structures. Lesions that extend significantly above th e hyoid are especially difficult to excise because of the complexity of ach ieving a complete excision. This article describes a series of 3 cases of c ystic hygroma that presented in the head and neck and, on further investiga tion, were found to also involve the skull base. This anatomic location is exceedingly rare, and these 3 cases represent new and difficult challenges not: previously discussed in the literature, to our knowledge.