Evaluation of the treatment of cystic lymphangioma by percutaneous injection of Ethibloc in 20 patients

Abstract

Surgical treatment of cystic lymphangioma (CL) is so often followed by local and general complications that non invasive treatment must be considered. 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). 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. These fair results suggest that intracystic injection of Ethibloc represents an effective alternative to surgery.