Congenital Cervico-Mandibular Cystic Lymphangioma in Pediatric Surgical Setting in Guinea

Introduction: Cystic lymphangiomas are rare benign malformative tumors of the lymphatic system of obscure etiopathogenesis. The cervico-facial location remains the most common (75%). Although benign, these tumors remain potentially fatal, due to possible compression of the upper aero-digestive tract. The aim of this work is to study the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of cervico-mandibular congenital cystic lymphangiomas in the pediatric surgery department of the Donka National Hospital (HND) Conakry. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of 13 files lasting 7 years from January 2015 to December 31, 2021. The files of children whose age is less than or equal to 15 years operated on cervical tumor with histological evidence of cystic lymphangioma were retained. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software 21 and anonymously. Results: The incidence of this study was 1.86 cases per year and a sex ratio of 0.62 in favor of girls. The average age was 8 months 19 days. In the antecedents, we only find poorly monitored pregnancies. The average size of the tumors was 11.85 cm. Cervical ultrasound and standard x-ray of the cervical mass were the only examinations performed. Total surgical excision of the cervical tumor was performed in all patients. The mass was polycystic on exploration. The histological examination of the surgical specimens was in favor of a cystic lymphangioma. The surgical consequences were simple in 11 patients (84.62%) and complicated by parietal suppuration in 2 cases (15.38%). There were no cases of recurrence after one year of follow-up. Conclusion: Cervico