Development of a biomarker of efficacy in second-line treatment for lymphangioma of the tongue: a pilot study

Management and Outcomes of Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations: A Systematic Review From the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee

BACKGROUND

Significant variation in management strategies for lymphatic malformations (LMs) in children persists. The goal of this systematic review is to summarize outcomes for medical therapy, sclerotherapy, and surgery, and to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the treatment.

METHODS

Three questions regarding LM management were generated according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Publicly available databases were queried to identify articles published from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2021. A consensus statement of recommendations was generated in response to each question.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 9326 abstracts, each reviewed by two authors. A total of 600 abstracts met selection criteria for full manuscript review with 202 subsequently utilized for extraction of data. Medical therapy, such as sirolimus, can be used as an adjunct with percutaneous treatments or surgery, or for extensive LM. Sclerotherapy can achieve partial or complete response in over 90% of patients and is most effective for macrocystic lesions. Depending on the size, extent, and location of the malformation, surgery can be considered.

CONCLUSION

Evidence supporting best practices for the safety and effectiveness of management for LMs is currently of moderate quality. Many patients benefit from multi-modal treatment determined by the extent and type of LM. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended to determine the optimal individualized treatment for each patient.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Interdisciplinary Management of Vascular Anomalies in the Head and Neck

Vascular anomalies in the head and neck area are usually rare diseases and pose a particular diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They are divided into vascular tumours and vascular malformations. A distinction is made between benign tumours, such as infantile haemangioma, and rare malignant tumours, such as angiosarcoma. Vascular malformations are categorised as simple malformations, mixed malformations, large vessel anomalies and those associated with other anomalies. Treatment is interdisciplinary and various modalities are available. These include clinical observation, sclerotherapy, embolisation, ablative and coagulating procedures, surgical resection and systemic drug therapy. Treatment is challenging, as vascular anomalies in the head and neck region practically always affect function and aesthetics. A better understanding of the genetic and molecular biological basis of vascular anomalies has recently led to clinical research into targeted drug therapies. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the diagnosis, clinic and treatment of vascular anomalies in the head and neck region.

Designs used in published therapeutic studies of rare superficial vascular anomalies: a systematic literature search

BACKGROUND

Rare superficial vascular anomalies represent a wide range of diseases. Their management is difficult given the broad spectrum and the lack of clinical trials assessing treatment efficacy. A randomized clinical trial of vascular anomalies is difficult because of the rarity of the diseases and is enhanced by the population of interest often being children. Therefore, suitable designs are needed. We conducted a methodological systematic literature search to identify designs implemented for investigating the treatment of rare superficial vascular anomalies.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search on January 25, 2021, of the PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and European Union Clinical Trials Register databases. This systematic methodological literature search was registered at the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42021232449). Randomized and non-randomized studies were included if they met the following criteria: were prospective studies of rare superficial vascular anomaly therapies, dealt with humans (adults and children) and were published in English from 2000. We excluded case reports/case series reporting fewer than 10 patients, reviews, retrospective studies, animal studies, studies of systemic or common vascular anomalies and non-therapeutic studies. We did not assess risk of bias in the included studies because our review was a methodological one focused on the design used. The review provided a descriptive analysis of relevant features of eligible research studies.

RESULTS

From 2046 articles identified, we included 97 studies (62 reports and 35 ongoing studies): 25 randomized controlled studies, 7 non-randomized comparative studies, 64 prospective cohorts and 1 case series. Among the 32 comparative studies included, 21 used a parallel-group design. The 11 other studies used different designs such as cross-over, randomized placebo phase, delayed-start, within-person, or challenge-dechallenge-rechallenge or used a historical control group or an observational run-in period.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic literature search highlights the lack of randomized control trials in superficial vascular anomalies due to the rarity of patients and their heterogeneity. New designs are emerging and can overcome the limitations of testing treatments in parallel groups.

Efficacy of sirolimus in children with lymphatic malformations of the head and neck

Purpose

Children with extensive lymphatic malformations of the head and neck often suffer from functional impairment and aesthetic deformity which significantly affect the quality of life and may be life-threatening. Treatment with sirolimus has the potential to improve symptoms and downsize lymphatic malformations. This systematic review summarizes the current information about sirolimus treatment of lymphatic malformations of the head and neck in children, its efficacy and side effects.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature regarding studies on sirolimus treatment of children with lymphatic malformations of the head and neck was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar up to July 2021 with the search terms “lymphatic malformation”, “lymphangioma”, “cystic hygroma”, “low-flow malformation”, “sirolimus”, “rapamycin”, “mTOR inhibitor” and “children”.

Results

In all, 28 studies including 105 children from newborn to 17 years treated with sirolimus for lymphatic malformations of the head and neck were analyzed. The most frequent initial dose was 0.8 mg/m² per dose, twice daily at 12-h interval. The target blood level differed between studies, 10–15 ng/mL and 5–15 ng/mL were most often used. More than 91% of the children responded to sirolimus treatment which lasts from 6 months to 4 years. Typical side effects were hyperlipidemia, neutropenia and infections.

Methods

Sirolimus could be an effective treatment for children with large complicated lymphatic malformations of the head and neck. As not all patients will benefit from treatment, the decision to treat sirolimus should be made by a multidisciplinary team.

Oral lymphatic malformations: A multicenter study of 208 cases and literature review

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the frequency and analyze demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with a histopathological diagnosis of oral lymphatic malformations (OLMs).

METHODS

A multicenter study was performed, collecting biopsy record data from a consortium of Brazilian Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Centers. A review was also conducted to compare this data with cases already available in the literature.

RESULTS

This study retrieved 208 cases of OLM in the multicenter study and 1035 cases in the literature review. In both, OLMs affected male and female individuals equally, with the most affected site being the tongue. Individuals ≥60 years of age were uncommonly affected. Symptomatic and larger lesions were more commonly reported in the literature review.

CONCLUSIONS

This study comprises the largest sample of OLMs to date. OLMs are rare conditions, without sex predilection. The elderly proved to be less frequently affected, and the tongue is the most commonly affected site.