Lymphatic malformation

Observational studies Sclerotherapy with 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate has been studied in 13 patients with venous malformations and microcystic lymphatic malformations, all low-flow malformations extending into the subcutis, confirmed... 

Among vascular diseases that may chnicaUy appear as tumor-like lesions, there are capillary and cavernous hemangioma, orbital vein anomaly, venous-lymphatic malformation, orbital vein thrombosis, and carotid-cavernous fistula. When large, vascular lesions oftentimes are not confined to one orbital space alone, and they may extend to extra-orbital locations of the head and neck (Flis and Connor 2005). 

Various vascular lesions of the orbit may appear to be tumor-like at cross-sectional imaging. In particular, hemangiomas of the orbit have also been referred to as vascular tumors and should be distinguished from lymphangioma, venous-lymphatic malformations, and arterio-venous malformations (Aviv and Miszkiel 2005). 

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue tumor of the orbit in children under the age of 15 years. Clinically, rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit is characterized by rapidly progressive proptosis, a decrease of ocular motility, and unilateral ptosis. Cross-sectional imaging reveals a well-delineating tumor whose density or signal intensity is similar to intra-orbital muscles on unenhanced images and increases markedly after intravenous contrast administration. The differential diagnosis includes venous lymphatic malformation, lymphoma, intra-orbital neuroblastoma, and idiopathic inflammatory disease of the orbit (Mueller-Forell and Pitz 2004). 

Venous malformations Lymphatic malformations Capillary malformations Mixed malformations... 

Lymphatic malformations (formerly known as cystic hygroma or lymphangiomas) are maldevdopments of the various components of the lymphatic system. They are localized malformations affecting the various layers of the subcutaneous tissue and exhibit low-flow characteristics. Tbey are usually multiloculated and are divided into microcystic (cysts <2 cm in diameter), macrocystic, and mixed categories. 

Lymphatic malformations (LMs), like other vascular malformations, are commonly present at birth with a predilection for the head, neck and axilla (Fig. 1.9). They affect both sexes equally. They are less common than venous malformations and are usually subcutaneous [1,5,68]. 

Fig 1.9. Lymphatic malformation of the neck. (Image provided by Dr. Phillip John, MD)... 

Shells WE. Sclerotherapy of Lymphatic Malformations. Presented at the 2004 annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology... 

Sung MW, Chang SO, Choi JH et al. (1995) Belomycin sclerotherapy in patients with congenital lymphatic malformation of the head and neck. Am J Otolarngol 16 236-241... 

Sclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat blood vessels or malformation of blood vessels and/or the lymphatic system. A medicine is injected into the vessels to cause shrinkage. Sclerotherapy is used in children and young adults with vascular and lymphatic malformation. In adults, sclerotherapy is often used to treat spider veins, smaller varicose veins and haemorrhoids. 

Vascular anomalies are divided into vascular tumours and vascular malformations. Vascular malformation classification is based on the anomalous channels arterial, venous, lymphatic, or capillary. The most frequent vascular anomalies are venous malformations. The incidence is estimated to be around 1 in 10,000 [1]. The reader must be made aware of the numerous confusing misnomers such as glomangioma, cavernous haemangioma, and haemangioma that have also been used in prior literature. 

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