The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2013 , Vol 55 , Num 4
Aggressive Giant Cystic Lymphatic Malformation in a Newborn
1Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, and 2Division
of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: mertcalis@
gmail.com
Lymphatic malformations are uncommon, benign and congenital malformations
of the lymphatic system exhibiting lack of development of communication
between the lymphatic and venous circulation. We report the unusual case of
rapidly expanding giant lymphatic malformation of the torso, bilateral axillae
and left upper extremity of a newborn. As the first-line treatment, aspiration
and sclerotherapy with bleomycin were performed. The sclerotherapy failed
to cause regression of the mass, and rapid expansion of the malformation
necessitated surgery. Partial resection of the mass was performed. Clinical
symptoms of respiratory distress resolved in the early postoperative period, and
the patient became hemodynamically stable. However, intrathoracic invasion
of the mass developed, leading to restriction of thoracic expansion, ending
in death. In conclusion, surgical treatment of giant lymphatic malformations
remains challenging.
Keywords :
giant cystic lymphangioma, newborn, surgery, bleomycin, thoracic invasion.