Ethanol ablation for management of large cyst hygroma colli in adult: A case report

Introduction and importance: Cystic hygroma in adult is a rare condition that is typically treated with surgery, but in some cases, the cyst may be difficult to completely remove, leading to the potential of recurrence. Case presentation: In this case report, we describe the use of ethanol ablation as an alternative treatment for a rapidly growing cystic hygroma in an adult patient. The patient had a lump on her neck for 2 years that had been slowly growing. The cyst was drained and filled with ethanol, and a drain was left in place for 24 h. Follow-up evaluations showed no evidence of the lump, no pain, and no discharge after 6 months. Clinical discussion: Cystic hygroma typically affects young children, but it can also occur in adults. It presents as a painless, progressive mass that is soft, fluctuant, and not tender. It is often located in the neck, axilla, or mediastinum, and can also rarely occur in the groin or retroperitoneal spaces. Surgical excision is the primary treatment, but alternatives such as laser surgery, cryotherapy, electrocautery, steroid administration, sclerotherapy, embolization, and radiation therapy have also been used. In this case report, ethanol ablation was used as a sclerosing agent and was successful in treating the patient's cystic hygroma. Conclusion: Ethanol ablation with instillation may be an effective and efficient treatment option for adult single lobe cysts of hygroma colli, but further research is needed to confirm this.