Abstract

Background and Objectives: Surgical excision has been accepted as the definite treatment for benign cystic lesions of the head and neck. However, surgery has morbidities associated with technical difficulties and frequent recurrences due to incomplete excision. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of sclerotherapy using OK- 432 and alcohol for several benign cystic lesions. Materials and Methods: Retrospective reviews were performed for 37 patients who had undergone sclerotherapy with OK-432 or 99% alcohol for benign cystic lesions (14 thyroid cysts, 16 ranulas including 5 plunging ranulas, 5 mucoceles, 1 lymphangioma, and 1 thy- roglossal duct cyst). Information was gathered with respect to age, sex, sclerosant, size of cyst, number of injection, duration of follow-up, treatment outcome and recurrence. Results: Overall, 29 patients (78.4%) showed complete or marked response (13 thyroid cysts, 11 ranulas including 4 plunging ranulas, 3 mucoceles, 1 lymphangioma, and 1 thyroglossal duct cyst) . There were no significant differences in treatment outcome according to clinical diagnosis but, thyroid cyst showed better response than ranula. Ranula was related more frequent injections and recurrences than thyroid cyst. Conclusion: Sclerotherapy is an effective primary treatment for benign head and neck cystic lesions, especially for thyroid cysts. For the treatment of ranula, sclerotherapy can be used primarily but surgical treatment including sublingual gland excision is recommended for patients with repeated recurrences after two or three consecutive sclerotherapy. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2009;20:40–48)

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