Cutaneous Lymphangioma

Cutaneous lymphangiomas from 158 patients were studied clinically and pathologically. Lymphangiomas show a predilection for the neck and axilla, breasts and chest, and buttocks and thighs, but may occur on almost any area of skin. They show highest incidence of onset in infancy, the majority are present by age 5 years, but they may appear spontaneously in adolescence or adult life. No correlation among cutaneous lymphangioma, mucous membrane lymphangioma, internal lymphangioma, or lymphangiosarcoma was found. No familial histories of lymphangioma were elicited. Single surgical excision cured 75% of cutaneous lymphangiomas and reexcision cured an additional 12%. The cutaneous lymphangiomas are divided into superficial "lymphangioma circumscriptum" and deep "lymphangioma cavernosum." No specific histologic criteria could be found to differentiate lymphangioma from "bloodless" hemangioma, primary from secondary lymphangioma (lymphangiectasia), or cystic cavernous lymphangoma from cystic hygroma.