BENIGN SUPRACLAVICULAR TUMOROUS LYMPHANGIECTASIA- A NEW DISEASE?

Abstract

We describe an isolated recurrent noninflammatorytumorous swelling of thesupraclavicular fossa in four premenopausalwomen. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonanceimaging and computer tomography of the neckeach suggested an inhomogeneous massconsistent with "lymphangioma." In eachpatient the clinical course and histopathologicfindings suggested that the swellings were dueto chronic localized lymph stasis withsubsequent lymphangiectasia, possibly initiatedby intermittent obstruction of the juncture ofthe thoracic or right lymph duct with theinternal jugular vein. Enlargement may havebeen hormonally triggered by estrogens as eachwoman was taking oral contraceptive pills atthe onset of the disease. To characterize thisunique entity, we have termed the disorderbenign supraclavicular tumorouslymphangiectasia.