title: Cervicofacial Lymphatic Malformations: A Retrospective Review of 40 Cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphatic malformation (LM) is a form of congenital vascular malformation with a low incidence. Although LM has been studied, no consensus has emerged regarding its cause or treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 40 patients who visited our vascular anomalies center for the treatment of cervicofacial LM, which is a common manifestation of LM. The medical records of patients over a period of 12 years were reviewed and analyzed for commonalities regarding the diagnosis and the results of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suspected cervicofacial LM was confirmed through imaging studies. No difference in incidence was observed according to sex, and 73% of patients first presented with symptoms before the age of two years. The left side and the V2-V3 area were most commonly affected. No significant differences in incidence were observed among the macrocystic, microcystic, and combined types of LM. A total of 28 out of 36 patients received sclerotherapy as the first choice of treatment, regardless of the type of lesion. Complete resolution was achieved in only 25% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LM is important to confirm the diagnosis early and to choose an appropriate treatment strategy according to the stage of the disease and each individual patient's symptoms. When treatment is delayed or an incorrect treatment is administered, patient discomfort increases as the lesion gradually spreads. Therefore, more so than is the case for most other diseases, a team approach on a case-by-case basis is important for the accurate and appropriate treatment of LM.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Byung Chae
authors: BC
authors: Cho
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Jae Bong
authors: JB
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Jeong Woo
authors: JW
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Kang Young
authors: KY
authors: Choi
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Jung Dug
authors: JD
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Seok-Jong
authors: SJ
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Yong-Sun
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Jong Min
authors: JM
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Seung
authors: S
authors: Huh
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors: Ho Yun
authors: HY
authors: Chung
keywords: Lymphangioma; Lymphatic abnormalities; Sclerotherapy