A Radiologic Grading System for Assessing the Radiographic Outcome of Treatment in Lymphatic and Lymphatic-Venous Malformations of the Head and Neck

Generalized lymphatic anomaly in a pediatric patient manifesting as a rare presentation of hemorrhagic pleural effusion: a case report

BACKGROUND

Generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA) is a rare congenital lymphatic malformation (LM) characterized by multiple infiltrating lymphangiomas in various tissues. Owing to its rarity, information on this disease is obtained mainly through case reports, leading to delayed diagnosis. In this study, we reported a case of generalized lymphatic anomaly in a pediatric patient manifesting as hemorrhagic pleural effusion.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 6-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough with yellow sputum production, and diminished respiration accompanied by pleural effusion. Imaging revealed significant left-sided pleural effusion with mediastinal involvement, left lung atelectasis, and multiple cystic lesions in both liver and spleen. Thoracoscopic exploration was conducted in response to her active intrathoracic bleeding, which identified a persistently hemorrhagic mass in the left mediastinum. The mass in the left mediastinum was removed, and pathological examination confirmed hyperplasia and expansion of the papillary endothelial cells within the lymphatic vessels. After intensive anti-infection therapy and symptomatic and supportive treatment, the patient's condition improved significantly. The regular outpatient follow-ups were continued until July 2024. Subsequent positron emission tomography (PET)CT at another hospital revealed multiple skeletal lesions in the limbs. Following treatment with sirolimus, no recurrence of pleural effusion was observed, and the patient's condition remained stable.

CONCLUSION

In patients with generalized lymphatic anomalies (GLAs), involvement of the thoracic cavity may lead to hemorrhagic pleural effusion, thereby broadening the landscape of GLA phenotypic presentations. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of complete radiological evaluation of susceptible patients with GLA to avoid diagnostic delay in this morbid condition. We also review recently discovered genetic changes underlying lymphatic anomaly development and the progress of treatment.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy for head and neck lymphatic malformations in neonates and infants ≤12 months of age

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for lymphatic malformations (LM) of the head and neck in adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the indications and efficacy of sclerotherapy for head/neck LM in the neonate and infant population.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with percutaneous sclerotherapy for LM of the head/neck at age ≤12 months at a single vascular anomalies clinic. The clinical, anatomic, and technical aspects of each treatment, complications, and post-treatment clinical and imaging outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

22 patients underwent 36 treatments during the first year of life. Median age at first treatment was 6.2 months (range 2-320 days). Severe airway compromise was the most frequent indication for treatment (31.8%). Sclerosants included doxycycline (80.5%), sodium tetradecyl sulfate (55.5%), bleomycin (11.1%) and ethanol (2.8%). There were no immediate procedure-related complications; sclerosant-related laboratory complications included transient metabolic acidosis (8.3%) and hemolytic anemia (5.5%). Median follow-up was 3.7 years (IQR 0.6-4.8). 47.6% of patients showed >75% lesion size reduction and 19.0% showed minimal response (<25% improvement). At last follow-up, 71.4% of children were developmentally normal and asymptomatic, 23.8% had recurring symptoms, and 4.8% required permanent tracheostomy. Patients with ongoing symptoms or limited response to percutaneous sclerotherapy (33.3%) were treated with long-term sirolimus.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic LM of the head and neck in neonates and infants. Treatment strategy and management of recurrent symptoms requires consensus from an experienced, multidisciplinary team.

Sclerotherapy in Lymphatic Malformations with Intralesional Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Comparison with Non-Hemorrhagic Lymphatic Malformations

Purpose

To compare the outcomes of sclerotherapy with bleomycin and lauromacrogol between lymphatic malformations (LM) with and without intralesional hemorrhage and identify the factors affecting the outcomes of LM with hemorrhage.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study examined patients with LM who underwent sclerotherapy with bleomycin and lauromacrogol between January 2019 and December 2021. Regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with the outcomes of LM with hemorrhage.

Results

52 patients were included in the study, including 26 with intralesional hemorrhage. Masses with bluish skin (p = 0.026) and pain (p = 0.001) were more common in LM with hemorrhage. With similar outcomes, the average number of sessions was 2.9 in LM with hemorrhage and 2 in LM without hemorrhage (p = 0.028). The efficacies of the macrocystic and mixed types (93.3% and 83.3%, respectively) were higher than that of the microcystic type (40%) (p = 0.036). As the number of sessions increased, the relapse rate decreased (p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Sclerotherapy with bleomycin and lauromacrogol is effective and safe for LM with hemorrhage. An increased number of injections for patients with hemorrhage was associated with similar efficacy for those without hemorrhage and similar relapse rates.

A nomogram for predicting sclerotherapy response for treatment of lymphatic malformations in children

Purpose

In this manuscript, we purposed to identify the prognostic factors for treatment of lymphatic malformations in children using polidocanol foam combined with pingyangmycin and to construct nomogram for predicting sclerotherapy response.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 77 children having LMs who underwent sclerotherapy using polidocanol foam combined with pingyangmycin under ultrasound display from January 2017 to April 2020 was done. The clinical response was graded as excellent (≥ 90%), good (≥ 50%, < 90%), and poor (< 50%). More than 50% was considered as acceptable response. Prognostic factors were identified by Pearson’s Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and multivariable logistic regression model was used to construct a nomogram to predict sclerotherapy response. The discrimination and calibration of nomogram were verified through the receiver operating characteristic cure and calibration plots.

Results

The mean number of treatment sessions was 3.1 (range, 1–6). Among 77 patients, 58 patients (75.3%) had excellent response to treatment (≥ 90%) and 68 patients (88.3%) had an acceptable response (≥ 50%, < 90%). Clinical disfigurement (P = 0.014), skin discoloration (P = 0.040), morphological subtype (P < 0.001) and extent of the lesion (P < 0.001) correlated with clinical response to sclerotherapy in LMs. Sclerotherapy response was predicted through nomogram constructed in this study, which shows good calibration and discrimination. Also, focal lesion and macrocystic or mixed morphological subtype lesion were seen more often in lower number of treatment sessions among the patients with excellent response.

Conclusions

An acceptable response to sclerotherapy using polidocanol foam combined with pingyangmycin was achieved in majority of LMs in children with extremely low complication rates. Nomogram based on the prognostic factors of sclerotherapy response for LMs in children was shown to possess an excellent performance to predict the probability of LMs sclerotherapy response.

Lymphatic Anomalies in Children: Update on Imaging Diagnosis, Genetics, and Treatment

Lymphatic anomalies comprise a spectrum of disorders ranging from common localized microcystic and macrocystic lymphatic malformations (LMs) to rare complex lymphatic anomalies, including generalized lymphatic anomaly, Kaposiform lymph-angiomatosis, central conducting lymphatic anomaly, and Gorham-Stout disease. Imaging diagnosis of cystic LMs is generally straightforward, but complex lymphatic anomalies, particularly those with multiorgan involvement or diffuse disease, may be more challenging to diagnose. Complex lymphatic anomalies are rare but associated with high morbidity. Imaging plays an important role in their diagnosis, and radiologists may be the first clinicians to suggest the diagnosis. Furthermore, radiologists are regularly involved in management given the frequent need for image-guided interventions. For these reasons, it is crucial for radiologists to be familiar with the spectrum of entities comprising complex lymphatic anomalies and their typical imaging findings. In this article, we review the imaging findings of lymphatic anomalies, including LMs and complex lymphatic anomalies. We discuss characteristic imaging findings, multimodality imaging techniques used for evaluation, pearls and pitfalls in diagnosis, and potential complications. We also review recently discovered genetic changes underlying lymphatic anomaly development and the advent of new molecularly targeted therapies.