Lymphatic malformations in the head and neck: experiences with sclerotherapy

Background: Lymphatic malformations are rare tumors of the head and neck region. Complete resection is the mainstay of treatment in these cases. Surgery of lymphatic malformations is accompanied by various complications because of the adjacency to neurovascular structures and the infiltrative nature of these masses.

Methods: Between March 2008 and April 2010 three patients with lymphatic malformations of the head and neck region were treated by sclerotherapy with OK-432 (Picibanil). Two young children and a male adult with a late relapse were enrolled. The children were treated under general anesthesia.

Results: A complete remission of lymphangiomas of the external nose as well of the lateral neck could be observed after a single sclerotherapy with OK-432. No response was seen after multiple injections of OK-432 into the orbital lymphangioma and treatment was finally successful after resection.

Conclusions: Today sclerotherapy has to be considered in the planning of the treatment of lymphatic malformations. Intralesional treatment of lymphangiomas in the head and neck with OK-432 shows good clinical response. Sclerotherapy with OK-432 is safe, effective and associated with few side-effects. After sclerotherapy a surgical resection can be carried out without any problems.