Cervical lymphangioma in adults: case report and current treatment

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cystic tumors of the neck are rare in adults. Some of them include metastatic nodes, branchial cysts, thyroglossal cysts and lymphangiomas, among others. Clinically speaking, lymphangiomas are slow-growing soft masses located in different spaces of the neck. Case report: This paper reports the case of a 36-year-old woman presenting with lymph-angioma, who consulted due to a right lateral mass in the neck of 20 days of evolution without associated systemic symptoms. Although relapse is frequent, the patient was successfully treated with surgery, without evidence of recurrence at 12 months of follow-up. Discussion: When cystic tumors of the neck occur in children, surgical urgencies may arise due to obstruction of the airway. However, lymphangioma in adults only produce contour deformity and rarely require urgent intervention, which allows for conservative management such as observation, repeated drainage or sclerotherapy that can be done using OK-432 (Picibanil). Nevertheless, surgery remains a good treatment option, but some complications may occur. Conclusion: Different treatment options were reviewed, which led to conclude that surgical resection of lymphangiomas continues to be a good treatment for this complex neck lesion.

RESUMEN Introducción: Los tumores quísticos del cuello son inusuales en los adultos. Sin embargo, se pueden encontrar metástasis a ganglios, quistes branquiales, quistes tiroglosos, linfangiomas, entre otros. Clínicamente, estos últimos son masas blandas de crecimiento lento que se localizan en diferentes espacios del cuello. Reporte de caso: Se reporta un caso de linfangioma en una mujer de 36 años, quien consultó por masa lateral derecha del cuello con evolución de 20 días sin síntomas sistémicos asociados. A pesar de que la recaída es frecuente, la paciente fue tratada con cirugía exitosa sin evidencia de recidiva durante 12 meses de seguimiento. Discusión: Cuando se presentan en niños, los tumores quísticos del cuello se pueden convertir en urgencias quirúrgicas debido a obstrucción de la vía aérea; no obstante, en los adultos solo producen deformidad de contorno y rara vez requieren una intervención apremiante, lo que permite conductas conservadoras como la observación, el drenaje repetido o la escleroterapia. Esta última puede hacerse con el OK-432 (Picibanil); sin embargo, la cirugía es una buena opción de tratamiento sin estar exenta de complicaciones. Conclusión: Se realizó revisión de las diferentes opciones de tratamiento y se concluyó que la resección quirúrgica de los linfagiomas continúa siendo la opción más adecuada para el manejo de esta compleja lesión del cuello.

The Treatment Experience of Lymphatic Malformations in Pediatric Patients

PURPOSE: The management of lymphatic malformation (LM) in pediatric patients is challenging. Complete excision of LM is difficult to achieve in some cases. We reviewed our experience how to manage LM. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who were treated for LM between 2010 and 2017. Medical records were reviewed about age of diagnosis, age of treatment age, gender, symptom, location of tumor, treatment modality, response and complication. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (39 boys and 24 girls) were included. Mean age at diagnosis was 14.5±28.0 months (range, neonate-10 years). The involved lesion were head and neck in 27 patients (42.9%), abdominal cavity in 7 patients (11.1%), chest wall and abdominal wall in 11 patients (17.5%), buttock in 7 patients (11.1%), and extremities in 11 patients (17.5%). The treatment options were including surgical resection in 32 patients, sclerotherapy in 7 patients, surgical resection combined sclerotherapy in 19 patients, and close observation in 5 patients. We achieved complete remission in 39 patients. Fourteen patients showed partial remission and 6 showed recurrences. CONCLUSION: Despite surgical difficulty, meticulous excision with supportive treatment, and adjuvant sclerotherapy could get a favorable outcome without fatal complication. Decision should be based on surgeon's experience, location of LM, related symptoms, and consultation with patient's parents.

Intralesional Injection of OK-432 in Cystic Hygroma

Background: Lymphangiomas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system with characteristic dilated endothelium-lined spaces. It is vulnerability to infection or chemical irritants cause spontaneous reduction in size and in some cases complete resolution. Intralesional injection of OK-432 or Picibanil (lyophilized incubation mixture of Group A Streptococcus pyogenes of human origin) is slowly gaining recognition as its safety and efficacy standards have shown to avoid complications resulting from surgical interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of cystic hygroma patients who received OK-432 injections. Methods: In between 2011 and 2013, six patients with cystic hygroma received intralesional injection of OK-432. All the patients were assessed clinically and radiologically either via ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) prior to and after receiving the injections. Patients’ response towards treatment was classified as total shrinkage, marked shrinkage (greater than 50% reduction in size), slight shrinkage (less than 50% reduction in size) or non-responsive to treatment. Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 12 months. Total shrinkage was achieved in one patient, marked shrinkage in three patients and one patient experienced mild shrinkage. Only one out of the six patients showed no response to treatment. None of the patients in this study experienced serious complications or adverse effects post intralesional injection of OK-432. Conclusions: Intralesional OK-432 injection is an effective and safe alternative in treating cystic hygroma.

Tratamento intralesional de malformações linfáticas com ênfase na escleroterapia com picibanil (OK-432): revisão sistemática / Intralesional treatment of lymphatic malformations with emphasis on Picibanil (OK-432) sclerotherapy: a systematic review

INTRODUÇÃO: Conduziu-se revisão sistemática retrospectiva da literatura incluindo estudos relatando o uso de picibanil para tratar malformações linfáticas (ML). MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi realizada com estudos publicados no PubMed de janeiro de 1990 a 14 de abril de 2013. Na estratégia de busca, usou-se os descritores "OK-432" ou "Picibanil" e "lymphatic malformation". Os seguintes elementos foram comparados aos de outras modalidades relatadas e, então, compilados: mecanismo de ação, indicações, contraindicações, eficácia, administração, efeitos colaterais, complicações, vantagens e desvantagens. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 44 estudos, 27 dos quais atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. O picibanil é uma preparação liofilizada de uma cepa de baixa virulência de Streptococcus pyogenes inativada pela penicilina G. Seu mecanismo de ação ainda não definido claramente, mas especula-se que provoque uma resposta inflamatória controlada com adesão das paredes dos cistos. O picibanil é indicado quase que unanimemente para o tratamento da ML macrocística, cuja resposta é mais efetiva do que em lesões microcísticas ou mistas. Em geral, o picibanil é administrado por meio de punção com visualização direta ou guiada por ultrassonografia, com o paciente sob anestesia geral. A preparação comumente utilizada consiste em 0,1 mg de picibanil em 10 ml de soro fisiológico. Os efeitos colaterais são, em geral, leves; sendo dor, inchaço e febre os mais frequentemente relatados. CONCLUSÃO: Os estudos apresentam pouca evidência científica. A revisão sistemática identificou que o picibanil é útil no tratamento da ML de qualquer tipo, mas tem resultados melhores em lesões macrocísticas. A eficácia foi comparável à de outras terapias. Não foi apresentada nenhuma contraindicação específica. Embora o mecanismo de ação ainda não tenha sido determinado, o picibanil trata-se de opção de tratamento.

INTRODUCTION: We performed a retrospective systematic review of studies reporting the use of Picibanil for treatment of lymphatic malformations (LMs). METHODS: We searched the PubMed database for available studies, including those published between January 1990 and April 14, 2013. The search strategy involved the use of the keywords "OK-432" or "Picibanil" and "lymphatic malformation." Information was compiled regarding the reported mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, efficacy, administration, side effects, complications, and advantages and disadvantages compared to those of other modalities. RESULTS: Forty-four studies were found, of which 27 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Picibanil is a lyophilized preparation of a low-virulence strain of Streptococcus pyogenes inactivated with penicillin G. Its mechanism of action is unclear, but it has been speculated that it causes a controlled inflammatory response with adhesion of cyst walls. Picibanil is almost unanimously indicated for the treatment of macrocystic LMs, which show a greater effectiveness response compared to that shown by microcystic or mixed LMs. Picibanil is usually administered by puncturing, either with direct visualization or guided by ultrasound, with the patient under general anesthesia. The most widely used preparation comprises 0.1 mg of Picibanil in 10 mL of saline. Side effects are mostly mild, with pain, swelling, and fever being the most frequently reported. CONCLUSION: The studies had low scientific evidence. A systematic review found that Picibanil is useful against any LM, with better results in macrocystic lesions. Efficacy was comparable to that of other therapies. No specific contraindication was presented. Although the mechanism of action has not been established, the inclusion of Picibanil as a treatment option is warranted.

Cross-sectional study comparing different therapeutic modalities for cystic lymphangiomas in children

OBJECTIVE: Here, we describe our experience with different therapeutic modalities used to treat cystic lymphangiomas in children in our hospital, including single therapy with OK-432, bleomycin and surgery, and a combination of the three modalities. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study including patients treated from 1998 to 2011. The effects on macrocystic lymphangiomas and adverse reactions were evaluated. Twenty-nine children with cystic lymphangiomas without any previous treatment were included. Under general anesthesia, patients given sclerosing agents underwent puncture of the lesion (guided by ultrasound when necessary) and complete aspiration of the intralesional liquid. The patients were evaluated with ultrasound and clinical examinations for a maximum follow-up time of 4 years. RESULTS: The proportions of patients considered cured after the first therapeutic approach were 44% in the surgery group, 29% in the bleomycin group and 31% in the OK-432 group. These proportions were not significantly different. Sequential treatment increased the rates of curative results to 71%, 74% and 44%, respectively, after the final treatment, which in our case was approximately 1.5 applications per patient. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that most patients with cystic lymphangiomas do not show complete resolution after the initial therapy, regardless of whether the therapy is surgical or involves the use of sclerosing agents. To achieve complete resolution of the lesions, either multiple operations or a combination of surgery and sclerotherapy must be used and should be tailored to the characteristics of each patient. .

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for benign non-thyroid cystic mass in the neck

Surgical excision has traditionally been the treatment of choice for benign non-thyroid cystic neck masses, including lymphatic malformation, ranula, branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, and parathyroid cyst. However, there is a tendency toward recurrence after surgery, and surgery may be accompanied by complications, including nerve injuries, vascular injuries, and scar formation. Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy using various agents has been challenged and successfully applied as an alternative treatment for benign non-thyroid cystic neck masses. This report reviews the available sclerosing agents and describes the applications of sclerotherapy to the treatment of benign cystic masses in the neck.

Uso de OK-432 (Picibanil) como alternativa no quirúrgica para el manejo de ránulas y mucoceles / The use of OK-432 (Picibanil) as a non-surgical alterantive for the management of ranula and mucoceles

Mucocele y ránula, son términos clínicos aplicados para describir un pseudoquiste asociado con extravasación mucosa en los tejidos circundantes, donde se hallen glándulas salivales menores. Estas lesiones ocurren como resultado de un trauma del conducto excretor de laglándula salival o por la obstrucción de flujo salival por otra lesión asociada, como un sialolito o un tapón bacteriano. Estas patologías se originan en una glándula salival menor y son también conocidos como fenómeno de retenciónmucosa o reacción de escape mucoso.El manejo de estas lesiones es quirúrgico en todos los casos, sin embargo, presenta algunas dificultades propias del evento, complicacionespostquirúrgicas y secuelas permanentes en el paciente; en la actualidad se ha manejado este tipo de lesiones con otro tipo de terapéutica, como escleroterapia, uso de toxina Botulínicatipo A, LASER, o el OK-432 (Picibanil), que es una mezcla de Streptococo Pyogenes del grupo A mermado en su virulencia y penicilina G en polvo liofilizado que funciona como agente esclerosante para linfangiomas y agenteantineoplásico. En este trabajo se presenta una revisión bibliográficaacerca de esta patología y una nuevaopción de tratamiento con este medicamento, sus indicaciones y contraindicaciones, así como su administración, reacciones secundarias y complicaciones durante el manejo de lesiones reactivas asociadas a las glándulas salivales menores.

Successful antenatal treatment of early fetal chylothorax with OK-432 pleurodesis / 대한산부인과학회지

Fetal chylothorax is a rare congenital manifestation that shows variable clinical outcome ranging from complete spontaneous resolution to progression into hydrops or lung hypoplasia. There is no consensus in the literature as to the optimal antenatal management despite several complications such as preterm delivery, pulmonary hypoplasia, and perinatal death. Pleuroamniotic shunting has been the treatment of choice in fetal chylothorax. Recently, new fetal therapy such as OK-432 (Picibanil) pleurodesis is being introduced. Herein, we present two cases of women referred at early 2nd trimester because of fetal hydrothorax by routine ultrasonography. Cytology obtained by thoracocentesis revealed abundant lymphocytes, suggesting chylothorax. Effusion was aspirated and OK-432 (Picibanil) was injected into the pleural space of fetus. On follow up ultrasonography, the pleural effusion was nearly resolved by adhesion of the intrathoracic space and resulted in the delivery of a healthy neonate. Intrapleural OK-432 injection may be feasible therapeutic option for selected cases in early 2nd trimester with persistent chylothorax for effective control of pleural effusion with no adverse effects.

Picibanil Sclerotherapy for Intractable Chylous Leakage After Neck Dissection / 대한이비인후과학회지

undergo radical neck dissection. Subsequent chyle leakage can cause complications such as skin flap necrosis, orocutaneous fistula, electrolyte imbalance and protein loss. Chyle leakage is managed conservatively with total parenteral nutrition and mediumchain triglyceride diet or is treated surgically with leakage site ligation or thoracic duct ligation. Sclerotherapy can be one of the treatment options and tetracycline and povidone-iodine have been reported to be used as sclerosing agents. However, Picibanil sclerotheray for post-neck dissection chyle leakage has not been reported. This paper presents our experience in the management of a intractable chyle leakage which was irresponsive to conservative management and thoracic duct ligation, by successfully employing Picibanil.

Treatment of Intra-Oral Ranula with Picibanil(R) in Children / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although surgical excision has been considered to be the treatment of choice by most of the surgeons, sclerotherapy of ranula has gained popularity during recent years. A prospective clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Picibanil(R) sclerotherapies for treating ranula children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Three patients were enrolled in the study conducted during 2002. All patients were not hospitalized. Picibanil(R) was injected into the lesion. One girl and two boys with ages ranging from 8 to 12 years were treated. RESULTS: Disappearance or marked reduction of the lesion and no recurrence of the ranula were observed in all children. Following each injection, local pain at the injection site was observed in 2 children and transient fever was observed in one child, but such problems resolved within a few days and no serious complication was developed. CONCLUSION: Our experience gives a suggestion that intralesional injection therapy using Picibanil(R) for intraoral ranula is relatively safe and can be used as a substitute for surgery in the treatment of ranula.

Clinical Manifestation and Treatment of Lymphangioma in Children: a Review of 117 Cases

Lymphangiomas or cystic hygromas are quite commonly seen in children. During a 22-year period, from January 1980 to December 2001, 117 patients with lymphangioma were treated and followed in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Hanyang University Hospital. The male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1 (77:40) with a male preponderance. As for the age incidence at time of diagnosis, 10 (8.5 %) patients were noted under 1 month of age, 37 (31.6 %) were between 1 month and 1 year of age, 12 (10.3 %) between 1 and 2 years of age, so 59 (50.4 %) were under 2 years of age. Sixty one (52.1 %) lymphangioma-cases were located in the neck, including one case at the nape. Axilla was the second in frequency and the rest were scattered at various sites. The intrascrotal lymphangioma is very rare but we have experienced one case of primary intrascrotal lymphangioma. Eighteen (15.4 %) cases were located in the intraabdominal area, 10 in the mesentery, 2 in the greater omentum and 6 in the retroperitoneum. The chief complaints of intraabdominal lymphangioma were abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, inguinal hernia, palpable mass, and/or abdominal distension. Among 77 histologically proven cases, 14 cases were cavernous lymphangiomas and the rest were cystic lymphangiomas. Bleeding in the lymphangioma was noted in 20 (17.1 %) cases of all. As for the treatment, a complete excision was performed in 77 (65.8 %) patients and AgNO3 sclerotherapy after incomplete excision was performed in 23 (19.7 %). Picibanil (OK-432) sclerotherapy was performed in 17 (14.5 %) patients. Recurrence rate was 7.7 % and mortality occurred in one case who had a large neck lymphangioma extending into the mediastinum.

A Case of the Treatment of a Cystic Hygroma with the Use of Picibanil / 대한이비인후과학회지

Cystic hygroma is an uncommon lymphatic tumor seen rarely in adults. The majority of cystic hygromas occur in the head and neck, particularly in the posterior triangle. We present an unique case of a postpartum woman who experienced sudden onset of a large cystic hygroma in the neck without history of antecedent swelling, infection, or trauma. And we show the safety of the sclerotherapy by picibanil, a lyophilised incubation mixture of group A Streptococcus pyogenes of human origin, in the cystic hygroma.

THE TREATMENT OF CONGENITAL LYMPHANGIOMA WITH OK-432(PICIBANIL(R)) AND SURGICAL EXCISION