[Treatment of lymphangiomas with picibanil in the first year of life].
BACKGROUND
The therapeutic gold standard of cystic hygroma is its complete resection. Because of its growth pattern and its main location in the head and neck region complete resection is not always possible. An alternative is the local injection of Picibanil, but only few cases have been published about its use in infants.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the data of 8 infants (age: 2 weeks-12 months) who got Picibanil therapy because of cystic hygroma in the time period 2002 until 2006. Follow up ranged from 3 months up to 3 years.


RESULTS
During the postoperative period all patients had local swelling, in 4 cases accompanied with local inflammation and fever. Tumor reduction of >50% was obtained in 7 of 8 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Local injection of Picibanil in infants with cystic hygroma seems to be a safe alternative to surgical therapy, especially when complete tumor resection means damage of important neighbouring structures. Prospective trials are necessary to confirm the better outcome after therapy with Picibanil compare to primary surgery.
Subotic
U
U
Kinderchirurgie, Inselspital, Universität Bern.
Hosie
S
S
Waag
K L
KL
Reinshagen
K
K
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010844:Picibanil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010844:Picibanil