Childhood airway manifestations of lymphangioma: a case report

Lymphangioma is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system, often involving areas of the head and neck. The involved structures may include enlarged tongue and lips, swelling of the floor of the mouth, and direct involvement of the upper respiratory tract. The definitive treatment for lymphangioma is surgery, often during the first years of life. Despite surgical removal, lymphangioma may persist. Anesthetic concerns include bleeding, difficulty visualizing the airway, extrinsic and intrinsic pressure on the airway causing distortion, and enlarged upper respiratory structures, including the lips, tongue, and epiglottis. This is a case report of a 9-year-old patient with lymphangioma who had impacted teeth and a suspected odontogenic cyst. There seems to be little information on the optimal anesthetic management for this age group. The challenges with airway management, including bleeding, laryngospasm, and a difficult intubation, are outlined. Awareness of potential airway involvement and possible complications is necessary to provide a safe anesthetic to a patient with lymphangioma. A review of the literature, airway management techniques, and current airway equipment will be discussed.