Imaging Manifestations of Head and Neck Lymphatic Malformations: A Single-Center Experience of 170 Surgical Cases

Objectives: To discuss the imaging manifestations and the utility of preoperative ultrasonography (US), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) in diagnosing the pediatric head and neck lymphatic malformations (HNLMs). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 170 children who were referred to our hospital in the past 9 years for the treatment of HNLMs. Results: The diagnostic rates of US, CE-CT and CE-MRI were 93.0% (146/157), 94.7% (143/151) and 100% (45/45), respectively. As in multilocular cases, intracystic septa detection rate was 91.5% (130/142), 50.4% (68/135) and 88.1% (37/42), and which had a statistical difference (chi(2) = 25.8131, p < 0.05). US showed capsule contents anechoic in 51.0% (80/157) cases, hypoechoic or mixed echoic in 49.0% (77/157) cases, and flocculent or dotted echo floating in 36.9% (58/157) cases. CT showed low density of the capsule contents without enhancement in 69.5% (105/151) cases and mixed density with enhancement in 30.4% (46/151) cases. Liquid-liquid levers were seen in 8.6% (13/151) cases. MRI showed T1WI high signal and T2WI low signal of the capsule contents without enhancement in 28.9% (13/45) cases and mixed density in 71.1% (32/45) cases. Liquid-liquid levers were seen in 46.7% (21/45) cases. There were statistically significant differences between pure HNLMs and intracystic hemorrhage in capsule content (echo, density, signal), enhancement, and liquid-liquid lever (all p < 0.05). Among US, CE-CT and CE-MRI, intracystic hemorrhage diagnostic accuracy had a statistical difference (chi(2) = 25.4152, p < 0.05). Conclusions: For clinical diagnosis and evaluation of HNLMs, we suggest that US combined with CE-CT for acute cases, and for stable cases, US combined with CE-MRI.