Congenital elephantiasis-like lymphangiomatosis of a lower limb

Abstract

The case of a newborn girl with a rare, giant, congenital, tissue lymphangioma giving rise to elephantiasis of the right lower limb is presented. The different imaging methods, especially magnetic resonance imaging, showed no extension of the lesions into the deep structures. At the age of 2 years, the child underwent a roentgenographic skeletal survey, which revealed osteolytic lesions in the femurs and the right tibia. There was no clinical evidence of systemic involvement. The place of this affection among the different lymphatic malformations was discussed and the diagnosis of elephantiasis-like lymphangiomatosis of the limb, an extremely rare disorder, has been retained. Early surgical reduction was performed, followed by application of a pressure dressing. Five years later the result remains satisfactory, but the excision of a persistent fluid-filled pouch around the knee will probably be necessary in the future.