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.