PERCUTANEOUS SCLEROTHERAPY OF LYMPHANGIOMAS

PURPOSE: The authors report their experience with percutaneous image-g uided sclerotherapy for treatment of unresectable lymphangiomas. MATER IALS AND METHODS: Five patients with unresectable lymphangiomas of the pelvis (n = 2), neck (n = 1), abdomen (n = 1), or leg (n = 1) were tr eated at two medical centers with sclerotherapy, with use of doxycycli ne as the sclerosant. Computed tomography was used to guide the proced ures, with supplemental lymphoscintigraphy, ultrasound, and magnetic r esonance imaging used as needed. RESULTS: Symptomatic relief of lymphe dema, lymphorrhea, or a decrease in size of lymphatic pools was achiev ed, to varying degrees, in the five patients. Follow-up is ongoing, an d further sclerotherapy may be indicated as the clinical course dictat es. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous sclerotherapy with doxycycline is safe an d appears effective for palliative treatment of unresectable lymphangi omas on the basis of our initial clinical experience.