Percutaneous embolization with Ethibloc of lymphatic cystic malformations with a review of the experience in 70 patients

Abstract

Cystic lymphatic malformations (CLM) are superficial vascular hemodynamically inactive malformations of the lymphatic compartment. We propose a new approach which uses a sclerosing agent as an alternative to surgical resection. In the past nine years we treated 70 patients with CLM. Fifty-five percent were younger than five years of age with a male preponderance and most (80%) of the CLM were located in the maxillofacial region. They usually presented with functional impairment from the mass effect; others had infections, bleeding, or inflammation. The CLM were injected under fluoroscopic control with a sclerosing agent, Ethibloc, which dries up the pockets and reduces the mass. On follow-up the results were good in 62%, unchanged in 5%, and continued progression in 20%. Fifteen percent underwent surgery failures (24%) occurred in mixed forms of cystic and cellular lymphangiomas. Complications were minors. Percutaneous embolization is useful for CLM, with minimal risk, absence of scar, and it avoids surgery. It should be the first line of treatment for these lesions.