Battling the bulge: Case of a giant cystic hygroma in a male neonate at Mbale regional referral hospital

Cystic hygroma is a congenital lymphatic malformation that commonly presents in the cervicofacial region and can cause significant airway and feeding difficulties in neonates. We report the case of a one-month-old male infant born with a large, cystic neck mass, diagnosed clinically as a cystic hygroma at birth. The child was initially managed conservatively due to limited resources but returned with worsening respiratory distress, prompting urgent surgical intervention. A complete excision of the lesion was successfully performed, with histopathology confirming a macro cystic lymphatic malformation. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the infant demonstrated normal growth and development during follow-up. This case underscores the critical need for early recognition, timely referral, and surgical capacity in resource-limited settings. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities for improving neonatal surgical care and congenital anomaly management in sub-Saharan Africa.