Hemorrhaged cystic hygroma and facial nerve paralysis: CT and MR findings

The association of peripheral facial nerve paralysis and cystic hygroma is rare, this being only the third reported case. In this patient paralysis was secondary to hemorrhage within the cyst and nerve compression. Although the magnetic resonance studies allowed the diagnosis to be made eventually, the complex signal intensities due to excessive bleeding within the cyst confused the issue. In this case, CT allowed an immediate diagnosis to be established.