[Cervico-facial lymphangiomas. What's the appropriate management?].

BACKGROUND

Cystic hygroma is a benign and uncommon vascular tumor. Therapeutic difficulties are variables and are discussed with regard to different clinical forms. The curative treatment is surgical.

AIM

The purpose of this study is to discuss the management of the vascular malformation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present a retrospective study over a period of 11 years (1995- 2005); about 12 patients treated and followed in ENT department of Habib Thameur Hospital of Tunis.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 29 years and the average size of the tumor was 7 cm in diameter. A voluminous cervical mass was noted in 3 cases. Local inflammation with respiratory restriction were observed in one patient. Surgical treatment was performed in 8 cases without recurrences. Injection of sclerosing agent (Ethibloc) was indicated in 4 cases because of the volume of the tumor. The following was marked by reduction of the tumor volume. Surgical excision was completed in one case.

CONCLUSION

The management of lymphangioma is challenging. Surgical excision is the best treatment in limited forms. The prognosis of voluminous lymphangiomas is transformed by sclerosing injections.