Submucosal resection of a microcystic oropharyngeal lymphatic malformation using radiofrequency ablation

Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are uncommon congenital anomalies noted to have a prevalence of 1 per 5000 births and comprise roughly 6% of all pediatric soft tissue lesions. Recently radiofrequency ablation has been described as a surgical option for the treatment microcystic LMs in the oral cavity, more specifically the tongue. The following case describes the use of radiofrequency ablation for the submucosal removal of a large obstructing pharyngeal LM in a 4-year-old female. The mucosal sparing approach and surgical method of extirpation are discussed in detail. To the authors' knowledge this is the first description of a submucosal coblation technique being used as treatment for pharyngeal LMs.