Local bleomycin injection in the treatment of lymphangioma.
OBJECTIVE
We report here our experience with local bleomycin injection in lymphangioma.


METHODS
Nine patients with lymphangioma were treated with locally injected bleomycin and followed prospectively. We performed an ultrasound study in all cases to delineate the size, location, nature, and number of compartments of the cyst prior to the injection. Under ultrasound guidance, the content of the cystic cavity was aspirated and 1 - 3 mg/kg bleomycin were injected. The patients were revisited monthly. No attempt at re-injection was made as long as the mass continued to decrease in size.


RESULTS
Patients consisted of 4 boys and 5 girls aged between 14 days and 6 years. The localisation of the mass was cervical in 6, cervical, sublingual, and lingual in 1, axillary in 1 and axillary and thoracic in 1. In six children, the mass disappeared totally after a single injection. In one patient a second injection was needed, and surgical excision was performed in two patients with residual solid component. No complication related to bleomycin was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Local application of bleomycin in children with lymphangioma is a simple, safe, and effective method. In the majority of cases, total healing may be achieved with a single injection.
Baskin
D
D
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sişli Etfal Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. didibas@tnn.net
Tander
B
B
Bankaoğlu
M
M
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001365:Axilla; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015911:Sclerotherapy
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D001761:Bleomycin