Microcystic lymphatic malformations of the tongue: diagnosis, classification, and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a classification of microcystic lymphatic malformations of the tongue and to investigate different treatment methods.


METHODS
Retrospective review of patients treated for microcystic lymphatic malformations of the tongue. Lymphatic malformations were classified into the following 4 groups according to their extent: isolated superficial microcystic lymphatic malformations of the tongue (stage I); isolated lymphatic malformations of the tongue with muscle involvement (stage II; stage IIA, involving a part of the tongue; stage IIB, involving the entire tongue); microcystic lymphatic malformations of the tongue and the floor of mouth (stage III); and extensive microcystic lymphatic malformations involving the tongue, floor of mouth, and further cervical structures (stage IV).


METHODS
Twenty patients with microcystic lymphatic malformation of the tongue.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for demographic data and extent and treatment of the lymphatic malformations.


RESULTS
Three patients had stage I disease; 5 patients, stage II; 3 patients, stage III; and 9 patients, stage IV. In 6 patients, the lymphatic malformations could be completely removed by carbon dioxide laser surgery; the remaining 13 patients had persistent disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The initial stage seems to predict outcome. Carbon dioxide laser therapy provides good results primarily in stages I and IIA lymphatic malformations. In advanced lymphatic malformations (stages IIB, III, and IV), an interdisciplinary approach is necessary, because complete surgical excision is often impossible owing to the diffuse growth behavior, and therefore recurrence and persistence are common.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Deutschhausstrasse 3, 35037 Marburg, Germany. swiegand@med.uni-marburg.de
Susanne
S
Wiegand
Behfar
B
Eivazi
Annette P
AP
Zimmermann
Andreas
A
Neff
Peter J
PJ
Barth
Andreas M
AM
Sesterhenn
Robert
R
Mandic
Jochen A
JA
Werner
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010844:Picibanil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014059:Tongue / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010844:Picibanil