title: Efficacy and safety of OK-432 sclerotherapy for giant cystic hygroma in a newborn.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  OK-432, a lyophilised incubation mixture of group A Streptococcus pyogenes of human origin, was used as a sclerosant for the involution of a giant cervical cystic hygroma in a newborn.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no systemic side effects. Blood tests and double immune diffusion tests showed no systemic infection or generalised inflammatory response, or antibody production. Cellular and cytokine-induced localised inflammatory reaction within the cystic hygroma, was observed on analysis of the intracystic fluid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The leucocytosis induced and activated by OK-432 probably increases the endothelial permeability of the lymphatics. This probably accelerated lymph drainage leading to involution of the cystic hygroma. Intralesional injection of OK-432 was safe and effective therapy for cystic hygroma in this newborn as its inflammatory reaction was localised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Boddy
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010844:Picibanil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D010844:Picibanil