Congenital cystic hygroma involving the larynx presenting as an airway emergency.

Cystic hygroma is a benign, painless, soft, compressible malformation of the lymphatic system. The head and neck region is the most common place of presentation. These lesions most commonly present shortly after birth with 40% presenting in the newborn period. With the increased use of prenatal ultrasonography, cystic hygromas are being diagnosed in the antenatal period; thus, appropriate measures to secure the airway of the infant can be prearranged prior to birth. This article reports a case where a multispecialty approach was undertaken to assure the survival of an infant born with a large cervical cystic hygroma with laryngeal and base tongue involvement by the tumor. This article also reviews the incidence of laryngeal involvement of cystic hygromas and airway management in the acute period and long term.