OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with sclerosing treatment of lymphangiomas in the head and neck region by intralesional injections of OK-432. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of a macrocystic-type cervical lymphangioma were treated by one to three intralesional injections of OK-432 (0.01 mg of OK-432/1 mL of lymphangioma fluid, up to a maximum of 0.2 mg in the first injection and 0.3 mg in the second or third injections). All injections were performed under ultrasound guidance. Children were injected under sedation. RESULTS: Eleven patients were treated with injections of OK-432: 7 children and 4 adults. They were followed up for a period of 5 to 68 (mean 30) months. Eight (73%) patients had complete or subcomplete resolution of the lymphangioma after one or two injections. In three (27%) cases, no response was obtained (2 cases) or the lymphangioma recurred (1 case) after two to three injections. In two cases, surgical excision was performed. There was no evidence of fibrosis around the cysts. There were no complications to OK-432 injections. CONCLUSION: Intralesional injection of OK-432 is an effective treatment modality for macrocystic-type lymphangiomas in the head and neck region. It has no complications, and surgical excision in case of failure is not compromised by fibrosis. Sclerosing of macrocystic-type lymphangiomas with OK-432 should therefore be considered before surgical excision.
OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with sclerosing treatment of lymphangiomas in the head and neck region by intralesional injections of OK-432. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS:Patients with the diagnosis of a macrocystic-type cervical lymphangioma were treated by one to three intralesional injections of OK-432 (0.01 mg of OK-432/1 mL of lymphangioma fluid, up to a maximum of 0.2 mg in the first injection and 0.3 mg in the second or third injections). All injections were performed under ultrasound guidance. Children were injected under sedation. RESULTS: Eleven patients were treated with injections of OK-432: 7 children and 4 adults. They were followed up for a period of 5 to 68 (mean 30) months. Eight (73%) patients had complete or subcomplete resolution of the lymphangioma after one or two injections. In three (27%) cases, no response was obtained (2 cases) or the lymphangioma recurred (1 case) after two to three injections. In two cases, surgical excision was performed. There was no evidence of fibrosis around the cysts. There were no complications to OK-432 injections. CONCLUSION: Intralesional injection of OK-432 is an effective treatment modality for macrocystic-type lymphangiomas in the head and neck region. It has no complications, and surgical excision in case of failure is not compromised by fibrosis. Sclerosing of macrocystic-type lymphangiomas with OK-432 should therefore be considered before surgical excision.