title: Giant unresectable lymphangioma of the trunk managed via intra-tumour injections of bleomycin.
abstract: Surgical excision was once considered the mainstay of treatment for lymphangiomas. However, that paradigm is now changing with sclerotherapy emerging as a viable alternative. A 22-year-old girl presented with a mucopurulent and painful discharge from an extensive wound in the trunk. Chest roentogram showed a large soft tissue abnormality with multiple calcifications in the right upper abdomen and lower thorax. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extensive lobulated mass measuring 27 x 19 cm. Due to the extensive involvement of tissues, surgical excision did not appear to be a favourable option in this case. Local injections of bleomycin were successfully administered; resulting in complete regression of the lesion. There has been no recurrence at 2 years of follow up. Use of bleomycin sclerotherapy appears to be a safe and effective management strategy and obviates the need for primary surgery especially in extensive lymphangiomas.
authors.affiliation: Class of 2009, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Umair
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Khalid
authors.forename: Saulat Hasnain
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fatimi
authors.forename: Taimur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saleem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D001761:Bleomycin