An 8-year population description from a national treatment centre on lymphatic malformations

Lymphatic malformations are rare developmental non-malignant abnormalities that present as masses consisting of abnormal growth of fluid filled channels or spaces in the skin or deep tissue that result in abnormalities of lymphatic flow. They may cause symptoms like pain, recurrent lymphorrea, abnormal bone growth, and disturbance of bodily functions. They may also be a cosmetic problem. The study aims to describe the population with lymphatic malformations (LM) treated at a national referral centre.

This is a retrospective review of patients with the diagnosis lymphatic malformation seen at the centre between 2006-2013. The authors performed a systematic review of the hospital records and a reevaluation of the radiological findings. Eighty-five patients with 102 lymphatic malformations were included.

The majority of the patients (67%) were diagnosed before the age of 2 years. Lesions were located mainly to the head and neck (64%) and half (52%) were macrocystic. Treatment was: sclerotherapy (69%), surgery (49%), laser therapy (19%), or a combination of these treatment modalities (33%). The best outcome was found in the patients with macrocystic lesions (p = .029), and 76% of the patients reported a good or very good outcome.

Most patients presented before the age of 2 years with complex lesions which required unique, often multimodal treatment plans and in general they experienced good outcome.