BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of cystic lymphangioma (CL) is so often followed by local and general complications that non invasive treatment must be considered. POPULATION AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1993, 20 patients with a superficial macrocystic lymphangioma were treated by percutaneous injection of Ethibloc in order to reduce the volume of the CL, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Fourteen CL were cervico-facial and six were located in the upper half of the body. The size of the lesion was determined by echography: three CL were less than 5 cm in diameter, 12 between 5 and 10 cm, five more than 10 cm. Two to 5 mL of Ethibloc were injected during one (15 cases) or several sessions (five cases). RESULTS: Reduction in volume was excellent in 12 patients after one session and in four patients after several sessions. Four patients had a poor result. All the patients suffered from an important inflammatory reaction for 2 or 3 days followed by exteriorisation of the Ethibloc in seven patients, with a discrete final scar. CONCLUSION: These fair results suggest that intracystic injection of Ethibloc represents an effective alternative to surgery.
BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of cystic lymphangioma (CL) is so often followed by local and general complications that non invasive treatment must be considered. POPULATION AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1993, 20 patients with a superficial macrocystic lymphangioma were treated by percutaneous injection of Ethibloc in order to reduce the volume of the CL, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Fourteen CL were cervico-facial and six were located in the upper half of the body. The size of the lesion was determined by echography: three CL were less than 5 cm in diameter, 12 between 5 and 10 cm, five more than 10 cm. Two to 5 mL of Ethibloc were injected during one (15 cases) or several sessions (five cases). RESULTS: Reduction in volume was excellent in 12 patients after one session and in four patients after several sessions. Four patients had a poor result. All the patients suffered from an important inflammatory reaction for 2 or 3 days followed by exteriorisation of the Ethibloc in seven patients, with a discrete final scar. CONCLUSION: These fair results suggest that intracystic injection of Ethibloc represents an effective alternative to surgery.