Background: Lymphangiomas are recognised as rare congenital anomalies of lymphatic system. They occur as an effect of improper development of lymphatic structures and impaired division of lymphatic tissue. Lymphangioma may develop in the early stage of embryological development or after birth as a result of infection, chronic inflammation, surgery and/or impaired lymphatic
circulation.
Case Report: We present the diagnostic procedures performed in 7 years old boy with congenital lymphangioma. The child was born with a big right sided lymphangioma of the neck and cheek. At the age of 6 the boy was qualified for the surgery and treated in the Department of Paediatric Surgery of
Wroclaw Medical University. By the histopathological findings the tumour was diagnosed as lymphangioma. As the child was 7 years old sudden pain of the throat and cheek was reported, it was accompanied by oedema of the right cheek. Physical examination revealed tumour probably deriving form right parapharyngeal space. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance revealed
longitudinal fluid structure placed between anterior part of the oral floor and mandibular fossa. The picture reflected lymphangioma. The child was sent to Warsaw for further treatment and is now awaiting for the surgery.
Conclusions: Lymphagioma are met in children rather not frequently but the case that has been described is interesting because of the course of the disease. The decision to perform surgery was made late,
as the tumour was already large. Recurrence of the tumour was probably connected with the infection of upper respiratory airways. Perhaps the development of the new treatment methods will reduce the number of cases qualified for surgical treatment.

Keywords: lymphangioma, children