Hemolymphangioma in a neonate--a therapeutic problem--case history

The authors present the case of a one and one-half-day-old child with a 4 X 5 cm hemolymphangioma of the left lower extremity. The mass was a violaceous, protuberant, compressible tumor covered with distended peau d'orange skin. A pressure dressing was applied to the lesion, and it was made certain that the blood supply to the foot was not cut off. The lesion began to resolve within a week and over the next few months; however, pressure may need to be continued for her lifetime. The patient had been wearing a pressure-gradient leotard as of six months of age, but this was discontinued after two weeks because of the authors' inability to converse with the child to determine how much pressure could be safely employed. This is one example of a to date successfully treated hemolymphangioma in a neonate using a pressure dressing initially followed by combined compression therapy. The proposed mechanism of this therapy, as well as comparison with other types of therapy, is discussed.