Objective To evaluate MSCT and MRI characteristic manifestation of cervical lymphangioma in children so as to promote the diagnostic accuracy. Methods MSCT and MRI manifestations of 32 cases with cervical lymphangioma were analyzed retrospectively and were proved by surgery and pathology. The positions, cervical spaces, structures, densities/signals and enhancement were observed and analyzed. Results The lesions occurred in upper, middle and inferior necks and superficial cervical space, carotid sheath gap and deep cervical space but major lesions were located in carotid sheath gap of middle neck (20 cases and 21 cases respectively). CT and MRI manifested multi-cysts in 28 cases which had wide ranges and irregular shapes, separated wall in interior, extensioin along cervical space. The cyst walls and separating of 16 cases were thin and were mildly enhanced. Cyst content manifested water-like density in CT, and long-time T1 and T2 signal in MRI. The lesions were single cysts in 4 cases which had less ranges and round or ovate shapes. The cyst walls of 2 cases were thin and were mildly enhanced. The densities and signals of cyst contents were same as multi-cysts. The lesions combined infection in 4 cases (3 cases with multi-cysts ,1 case with single cyst) manifested thicken wall and separating with blurred fat space around lesions. The densities /signals of cyst content were same as muscle and cyst walls and separating were moderately enhanced. The lesions combined bleeding in 10 cases (9 cases with multi-cysts, 1 case with single cyst) manifested that cyst contents were higher density in CT and heterogeneous T1/T2 signal in MRI. Liquid-liquid stratifications of cyst contents were seen. Conclusion CT and MRI showed characteristic manifestations of cervical lymphangioma in children and had important values for correct diagnosing and deciding plan of therapy.