[Lymphatic malformations: percutaneus treatment with bleomycin]

Lymphatic malformations are developmental abnormalities of the lymphatic system, which tend to complicate during their evolution. In the last decade, therapy with sclerosing agents has gained popularity over surgery due to its effectiveness, fewer complications, and excellent cosmetic results. We present a series of 24 patients treated with percutaneous bleomycin injection. Results were excellent (volume reduction ≥ 95%, without symptoms) in 12 patients, good (volume reduction between 50% and 95%, without symptoms) in 5 patients, fair (volume reduction <50%, without symptoms) in 4 patients, and poor (no change in volume from baseline and persistence of symptoms) in 3 patients. These results were directly related to the type of lymphatic malformation. The complications found had little clinical relevance. Sclerotherapy with bleomycin is an effective and safe treatment for patients with unicystic or macrocystic lymphatic malformations. It could also be used in patients with microcystic or cavernous lymphatic malformation undergoing surgery to reduce both the malformation size and postoperative lymphorrhea, and in postoperative symptomatic patients whose malformation could not be totally resected.