Dosage and Effectiveness of Intrapleural Doxycycline for Pediatric Postcardiotomy Pleural Effusions

OK432 Versus Doxycycline for Treatment of Macrocystic Lymphatic Malformations

Objectives:

A variety of sclerotherapy agents are used to treat macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs). This retrospective study at a single institution was performed to compare the outcomes of pediatric macrocystic LMs of the head and neck that were treated with doxycycline or with OK432.

Methods:

The outcomes measured included early response to therapy, number of treatments required, operating room time, and adverse events.

Results:

The rates of clinical success for OK432 and doxycycline were similar (83% and 82%, respectively; p > 0.05), although OK432-treated patients required more treatments than did doxycycline-treated patients (1.9 versus 1.0 injections; p = 0.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 to 0.27). The average operating room time for a single OK432 injection was significantly shorter than that for doxycycline (53.2 versus 98.1 minutes; p < 0.001); however, when the total number of treatments administered was considered, the overall times in the operating room were similar. Adverse events in the early postoperative period were more common in OK432-treated patients, who experienced marked postoperative swelling compared to doxycycline-treated patients.

Conclusions:

OK432 and doxycycline are both effective sclerosants for the treatment of predominantly macrocystic LMs. The administration time for OK432 is shorter than that for doxycycline, but OK432 required more treatments overall to achieve clinical success. Early adverse events were more common in OK432-treated patients, but longer follow-up is necessary to determine whether rates of recurrence and adverse events are similar, particularly in light of the risk of tooth discoloration in doxycycline-treated patients.

Doxycycline sclerotherapy in children with lymphatic malformations: outcomes, complications and clinical efficacy

BACKGROUND

Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are congenital lesions of the lymphatic system and consist of lymphatic channels and cystic spaces of varying sizes. Recent evidence has shown that LMs respond well to intralesional sclerotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the outcome and efficacy of using doxycycline in treating macrocystic, microcystic and combined macro- and microcystic LMs in a tertiary-care pediatric center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty children (32 boys, 18 girls) underwent doxycycline sclerotherapy for treatment of LMs between January 2005 and October 2010. Demographics, imaging, doxycycline treatment details, complications and follow-up details were documented.

RESULTS

The mean age at first treatment was 5.9 years (3 days-17.8 years), median 4.2 years. Cervicofacial (19/50 children) and truncal (16/50 children) locations were the most frequently affected. One hundred forty-six sclerotherapy sessions were performed in 50 children (mean 2.9/child). The mean doxycycline dose/kg body weight for 146 sessions was 15.3 mg/kg (0.6-85.7 mg/kg). Complications occurred in 4/146 procedures. Clinical follow-up showed excellent response in 14/16 children with macrocystic LMs, 21/27 children with combined LMs and 4/7 children with microcystic LMs.

CONCLUSION

Doxycycline is a safe and effective sclerosant agent for treating LMs in children, with a low complication rate.