Extensive laryngopharyngeal cavernous lymphangioma causing upper airway obstruction.

Lymphangiomas represent malformations of lymphatic system that frequently affect head and neck region. They are usually seen at birth or in early childhood. According to the size of the lymphatic cavities lymphangiomas are classified as microcystic (capillary), macrocystic (cavernous) and cystic hygromas. According to progression of disease staging system was proposed: stage I--unilateral infrahyoid disease, stage II--unilateral suprahyoid, stage III--unilateral supraand infrahyoid disease, stage IV--bilateral suprahyoid, and stage V--bilateral suprahyoid and infrahyoid disease. For laryngeal and hypopharyngeal site the radiographic differential diagnosis includes: retention cyst, ectopic thyroid, dermoid cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst or hemangioma. The histologic differential diagnosis includes hemangioma, and metastatic papillary cyctic thyroid carcinoma. Extensive cavernous lymphangioma occurs in 3%--18%. Advanced lymphangioma can cause airway or feeding