Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy of lymphangiectasia.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of lymphangiectasia successfully treated with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.


METHODS
A 1.5-mm Brymill cryoprobe (Brymill Cryogenic Systems, Ellington, CT) was applied in a double freeze-thaw method after an incisional biopsy of a portion of the conjunctiva. Freeze times were 1-2 seconds with thawing of 5-10 seconds between freezes.


RESULTS
A 64-year-old white man had symptoms of bilateral epiphora, eye irritation, and episodic blurred vision that was worse in the right eye. Ocular examination revealed inferior chemotic conjunctiva in the right eye and redundant conjunctiva in the left eye without chemosis. Marsupialization and liquid nitrogen cryotherapy were performed on the right eye, and the symptoms and signs resolved within 2 weeks. One year after cryotherapy, the patient has had no more eye symptoms or signs of lymphangiectasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy may be an effective alternative to surgery in the treatment of conjunctival lymphangiectasia.
Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239-4197, USA. eyedrug@ohsu.edu
Frederick W
FW
Fraunfelder
D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008200:Lymphangiectasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009584:Nitrogen