Lymphangioma and lymphangiectasis of the vulva

Background Lymphangioma circumscriptum and lymphangiectasis are uncommon in the vulvar area. Patients Three cases of lymphangiectasis and one case of lymphangioma circumscriptum affecting the vulva are reported. While the lymphangiectasis arose after hysterectomy, vulvectomy and lymphadenectomy, respectively, no causes were found in the woman affected by lymphangioma circumscriptum. All four cases were treated with diathermocoagulation and cryotherapy without recurrence. Conclusions Lymphangiomas and lymphangiectasis share similar clinical and pathological features but have different etiopathogenesis. Lymphangioma may be congenital while lymphangiectasis is always secondary to chronic lymphedema due to infective, obstructive and neoplastic diseases. Misdiagnosis and confusion with other more common pathologies is probably the cause of the apparent rarity of these lymphatic disorders.