Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lymphangiomas represent the focal proliferation of benign, well-differentiated lymphatic tissue. They are most likely congenital, thus more commonly diagnosed at birth and before the age of 2 years. When they are found in adults, they favor the head, neck and axillary region. Rarely do they involve the nasopharynx region or occur in a pregnant patient.

CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old primagravida in the third trimester of pregnancy developed difficulty swallowing that progressed into difficulty breathing over a 1-month period. Imaging and examination suggested a benign mass in the nasopharynx and the patient underwent surgical removal of the stalk with bipolar cautery. The pathology report revealed a simple 4.5×1.5×0.8 cm lymphangioma. She had no fetal compromise during anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical removal of a nasopharyngeal lymphangioma during the third trimester of pregnancy is indicated if respiratory obstruction may be a complication.

Keywords: Lymphangioma, Cystic, Nasopharyngeal Diseases, Pregnancy Outcome, Pregnancy Trimester, Third