Combined surgical and sclerotherapy for an extensive venous-lymphatic orbital anomaly

Complex lymphatic malformations in pediatrics: a review of treatment options

INTRODUCTION

Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are low-flow lesions resulting from abnormalities in the development of lymphatics. The management of these lesions is complex and involve the collaboration of many specialties. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the different therapeutic options used in complex lymphatic malformations, analyzing their indications, efficacy and complications.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A search was made using the algorithm: "(lymphatic abnormality OR lymphatic malformation OR lymphangioma OR cystic hygroma) AND (extensive OR giant OR complex) AND (therapeutics OR treatment) AND (child OR children)". Of the 120 articles found, 53 were included.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Historically, surgery was the treatment of choice for this type of lesions. However, excision was often incomplete, associated with high rates of recurrence and severe complications. The use of sclerotherapy emerged as a minimal invasive option appropriate in selected cases as a single or adjuvant therapy. Inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin, such as sirolimus, now play a central role in the treatment of complex malformations resistant to sclerotherapy, recurrent after surgery or more extensive malformations that affect vital structures. Other therapeutic options as sildenafil and laser ablation are also recognized as effective in selected cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Looking through the literature over the last decade authors realize that surgery had gradually been replaced by less invasive options such as sirolimus with or without adjuvant sclerotherapy. In conclusion, each treatment option seems to have its own indications and characteristics, which must be considered in therapeutic decision and individualized for each patient.

Low-dose Bleomycin Injections for Orbital Lymphatic and Lymphatic-Venous Malformations: A Multicentric Case Series Study

PURPOSE

Orbital lymphatic malformations (LM) are associated with ocular morbidity and facial disfigurement. Surgery is challenging and may not be effective. We describe the outcome of bleomycin injections for venous LM and lymphatic-venous malformation (LVM) malformations of the orbit in 5 tertiary referral centers between January 2010 and December 2018.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective case series, 5 oculoplastic referral centers: Sheba and Rabin Medical Centers, Israel; Mulago Hospital, Uganda; Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, India; and Clinique Ophtalmologique de Tunis, Tunisia. All patients diagnosed with orbital LM/LVM were assigned to successive (range 1-6) intralesional 5 international units bleomycin injections. They all underwent complete ophthalmic and orbital evaluations, orbital imaging, and ancillary testing as needed. Clinical photographs were assessed pre- and posttreatment along with objective assessments of clinical improvement. Additional injections were provided in cases of incomplete response.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients (17 women, mean ± standard deviation age 18 ± 13 years, range 2-48 years) underwent bleomycin injections. The mean injection dose was 12 ± 10 international units in 1-3 injections. There was a dramatic improvement in lesion size, appearance, proptosis, and ocular motility in 20/21 patients (95%) after a mean follow-up of 18 months. Visual acuity slightly improved after treatment (20/50-20/30; P = 0.076). No side effects were noted after bleomycin injections.

CONCLUSIONS

Bleomycin injections for LM/LVM of the orbit are effective; local or systemic side effects were not seen in this series. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest reported series of this treatment.