Retrospective analysis of classification and treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations of tongue

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical classification of microcystic lymphatic malformations of tongue and observe the treatment of microcystic lymphatic malformations of tongue by retrospective analysis, in order to provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: From October 2005 to October 2015, the complete data of 220 cases of microcystic lymphatic malformations of tongue (115 males and 105 females) received and treated in Provincial Special Department of Vascular Anomalies, Linyi Tumor Hospital was analyzed retrospectively. The age ranged from 8 months to 52 years old, with a median age of 16 years old. All patients were followed up for 3 years, and according to their clinical manifestations, they were divided into three types: localized type of 23 cases, diffuse type of 161 cases, and megaloglossia type of 36 cases. Injection with pingyangmycin merely was performed on 58 cases, whereas merely surgery on 20 cases, injection with pingyangmycin combined with high frequency electrocoagulation on 55 cases, and surgery combined with injection with pingyangmycin on 87 cases. The therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the grade 4 standard. The χ(2) test was used for statistical analysis of count data. Rank sum test was used for statistical analysis of ranked data. Results: The percentage of surgery merely of localized type was 87.0% (20/23), significantly higher than that of other types of lesions [0% (0/197)] (χ(2)=178.060, P<0.001). The percentage of injection with pingyangmycin of diffuse type was 100% (161/161), significantly higher than that of other types of lesions [66.1% (39/59)] (χ(2)=60.034, P<0.001). The percentage of surgery combined with injection with pingyangmycin of megaloglossia type was 100% (36/36), significantly higher than that of other types of lesions [27.7% (51/184)] (χ(2)=65.800, P<0.001). After follow-ups for 3 to13 years, there were 0 cases of gradeⅠ, 11 cases of grade Ⅱ, 50 cases of grade Ⅲ, and 159 cases of grade Ⅳ. There were statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy among different clinical types (H=158.668, P<0.001). The percentage of level Ⅳ efficacy of localized type, diffuse type and megaloglossia type were 100% (23/23), 82.6% (133/161) and 8.3% (3/36) respectively. Local mucosa ulcer appeared in 45 cases and was cured through oral care and expectant treatment. Fever occurred in 28 cases and returned to normal within 24 h after expectant treatment. The lingual frenum was shortened in 16 cases. There were 12 cases with mild tongue swelling, 6 cases with influence on eating but without influence on breathing, and recovered spontaneously one week later. Conclusions: The choice of different treatment methods of microcystic lymphatic malformations of tongue should be made according their clinical classification. The only surgical resection is recommended for localized protrude lesions. Injection with pingyangmycin in high tension combined with surgical resection or high frequency electrocoagulation is effective for diffuse lesions. Surgical resection combined with injection with pingyangmycin is suitable for the patients with megaloglossia type.