[Cystic lymphatic malformations of the head and neck. Role of interventional radiology].

Cystic lymphatic malformations are hemodynamically inactive vascular malformations of the lymphatic compartment. Over a 9 years period, 52 patients with superficial cystic lymphatic malformations of the head and neck underwent embolization by direct injections of Ethibloc (Ethicon, Ethnon Laboratories, Neuilly/France) under fluoroscopic control. Results were graded as excellent or good in 57% of patients after embolization alone. Treatment was completed by surgery in 19% of patients. Embolization was considered a failure in 24% (12 patients), although 10 of these patients showed regression of the cystic component after embolization. This safe, efficacious percutaneous technique has emerged as the first treatment to be considered for cystic lymphatic malformations.