Lymphatic malformation: predictive factors for recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
Although lymphatic malformations are often found to be well circumscribed when surgery is undertaken in early childhood, complete surgical excision can be difficult when the lesion is infiltrative. This study retrospectively evaluates these patients in an attempt to identify prognostic factors that may predict recurrence.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted covering the years 1991 to 1998. Seventeen patients were identified having undergone 32 surgical resections of tumors described as lymphatic malformations. Data abstracted from the charts included the site of the lesion, surgical and histologic assessment of encapsulation, and status at follow-up examination.


RESULTS
Six of 17 patients developed a recurrence after surgery. Correlation between recurrence and histologic or operative impressions of encapsulation was significant by chi(2) analysis (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the findings of this case series, lymphatic malformations that are found to be nonencapsulated and infiltrative by intraoperative or histologic assessment are more likely to recur.
Fliegelman
L J
LJ
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Friedland
D
D
Brandwein
M
M
Rothschild
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method