title: Lymphatic malformations: clinical course and management in 64 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphatic malformations (LM) are rare vascular malformations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To define the clinical characteristics of children with LM and their management.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective chart review of children with LM and telephone interviews with parents. Demographic and clinical features, diagnostic imaging, treatments and complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty male and 34 female patients with LM were identified. The anatomic location of the LM was most frequently the head and neck (48%). LM involved the left side of the body more frequently (62%). Children presented most commonly with swelling as skin coloured tumours or cysts, and less frequently with hemihypertrophy, bruising, and superficial pseudo-vesicles. Most LM were macrocystic (60%), followed by microcystic (24%) and mixed (16%). The mean age at diagnosis was 37 months, with 51% of LM obvious at birth. LM caused morbidity in 70% of cases and death in one child. Treatments were sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulfate 3% (30.5%), OK-432 (17%) and doxycycline (10%); 27% received surgery; 34 % had no treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LM are heterogeneous vascular malformations that may result in significant morbidity. Diagnosis is often delayed. A multidisciplinary approach to management including dermatology, diagnostic and interventional radiology and paediatric surgery is important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dermatology, UNSW School of Women's and Children's Health, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. hogelingm@yahoo.ca
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hogeling
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Jenaleen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Orli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wargon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D044148:Lymphatic Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*