Abstract
Introduction: There are few publications on the treatment of elephantiasis in children. Objective: The aim of this study is to report on the intensive treatment of lower limb elephantiasis of a child in an outpatient setting. Case report: We report the case of an eight-year-old boy who was born with scrotum and lower limb lymphedema. The initial diagnostic difficulty and therapeutic conduct over the years did not produce results and there were complications such as erysipelas. The lymphedema progressed to the most advanced stage, elephantiasis (stage III), with the mobility of the child limited affecting the quality of his life, including academically. A five-day intensive outpatient treatment program was proposed including Cervical Stimulation Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Therapy, Mechanical Lymphatic Therapy and compression using a custom-made stocking made of a grosgrain fabric. Results: There was a reduction of 45% of the limb volume in five days. Conclusion: Intensive treatment of elephantiasis in children is a new therapeutic option that allows significant reductions in volume in a short time.
Highlights
There are few publications on the treatment of elephantiasis in children
It is estimated that the worldwide prevalence of lymphedema is between 0.13 and 2%, with the highest prevalence related to secondary lymphedema in developing countries and in areas endemic for Wucheria bancrofti, the major cause of filariasis [2]
The aim of this study is to report the intensive treatment in an outpatient setting of a child with lower limb elephantiasis
Summary
Lymphedema is defined as a disorder of the lymphatic system characterized by an imbalance between the formation and absorption of lymph with an abnormal accumulation in the tissue of fluid rich in proteins and macromolecules [1]. Because of this lymphatic dysfunction, the formation of edema is progressive and can evolve with fibrosis and major deformities. Stage II lymphedema is characterized by a certain amount of fibrosis finger pressure still causes an indentation in the skin, but the edema does not disappear completely by elevating the limb for 24 hours. The aim of this study is to report the intensive treatment in an outpatient setting of a child with lower limb elephantiasis
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