Fetal cystic hygromas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system appearing as single or multiloculated fluid filled cavities. Most often about the neck. They are thought to arise from failure of the lymphatic sytem to communicate with
the
venous system in the neck. They often progress to hydrops and cause fetal. Therefore, when a hygroma is detected during fetal life, careful sonogrphic examination of the entire fetus, determination of the fetal karyotype, and an evaluation of the
family
history are indicated.
Two cases of cystic hygroma at 20 weeks and 21 weeks of gestation of women, suspected by ultrasonogrphy and confirmed autopsy and chromosomal analysis, is reported with brief review of the literature.
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