Bleomycin therapy for cystic hygroma.
Intralesional bleomycin injection was used as sclerosant therapy for sixteen patients with cystic hygroma. An excellent (complete clinical resolution) response was obtained in seven (44%) patients, a good (> 50% response) result in seven (44%), and a poor or no response in two (12%). Minor transient side effects (fever, vomiting, cellulitis, skin discoloration) were seen in six patients, and there were no serious side effects. The results suggest that bleomycin intralesional sclerosant is effective therapy for cystic hygroma, with response rates comparable to those of surgical removal, but with the advantage of avoiding inadvertent nerve damage and scarring.
Division of Surgery, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Subiaco, Western Australia.
J
J
Orford
A
A
Barker
S
S
Thonell
P
P
King
J
J
Murphy
D001761:Bleomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D001761:Bleomycin