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Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Cystic Hygroma
Lorraine, 37, from Bourne, UK asks:
I have just had my first scan & been told that the baby has a large cystic hygroma surrounding the back of the head & upper abdomen. When I asked if this was a sign of Downs Syndrome (fluid behind the neck) I was told they felt it was more than that, maybe a drainage problem. As I have not got my triple test for another two weeks, any ideas? Thanks.
Stacy Says:
Hygromas are formed when there is a developmental abnormality between the lymphoid system at the sites of lymph-venous connection, most typically behind the neck. In other words, the lymph system is the system that gathers all the bacteria and encloses it in confined areas while your body tries to fight the infection (the swollen glands on your neck when you have a cold is your lymph nodes). The venous system (the blood vessels) then take the substances from the lymph system to the blood where your body continues to fight it or excretes it. In hygromas, this does not form correctly and can lead to very serious consequences.
Lorraine, there is alot of literature out there, especially on the internet about hygromas. Just go to google.com and type in "cystic hygromas in fetus" and you can get alot of information. The prognosis and treatment depends on the presence of other abnormalities, results of an amniocentesis--all sorts of tests that I really am not knowledgable about to give you a good enough explanation.
Please listen very carefully to the doctors and arm yourself with as much information possible as there will be lots of decisions you will need to make. It seems that all you can do now is wait for tests. I will say this. There IS a purpose for this child. God created the life inside you for a specific reason. You both will be in my prayers.
I have just had my first scan & been told that the baby has a large cystic hygroma surrounding the back of the head & upper abdomen. When I asked if this was a sign of Downs Syndrome (fluid behind the neck) I was told they felt it was more than that, maybe a drainage problem. As I have not got my triple test for another two weeks, any ideas? Thanks.
Stacy Says:
Hygromas are formed when there is a developmental abnormality between the lymphoid system at the sites of lymph-venous connection, most typically behind the neck. In other words, the lymph system is the system that gathers all the bacteria and encloses it in confined areas while your body tries to fight the infection (the swollen glands on your neck when you have a cold is your lymph nodes). The venous system (the blood vessels) then take the substances from the lymph system to the blood where your body continues to fight it or excretes it. In hygromas, this does not form correctly and can lead to very serious consequences.
Lorraine, there is alot of literature out there, especially on the internet about hygromas. Just go to google.com and type in "cystic hygromas in fetus" and you can get alot of information. The prognosis and treatment depends on the presence of other abnormalities, results of an amniocentesis--all sorts of tests that I really am not knowledgable about to give you a good enough explanation.
Please listen very carefully to the doctors and arm yourself with as much information possible as there will be lots of decisions you will need to make. It seems that all you can do now is wait for tests. I will say this. There IS a purpose for this child. God created the life inside you for a specific reason. You both will be in my prayers.
