Cystic hygroma: anesthetic considerations and review

Cystic hygroma (CH) in the cervical region presents as a challenge to the anesthetist. The anaesthetic difficulties are usually associated with CH because of tumor extension into the mouth, airway management, thoracic extension, hemorrhage, involvement of pretracheal region, Post operative respiratory obstruction and coexisting anomalies (Down syndromes, Turner syndromes and congenital cardiac defects). Disorders of the CH relevant to anaesthesia and intensive care medicine are discussed in this review.