RESULTS OF ETHIBLOC(R) THERAPY FOR CYSTIC LYMPHANGIOMAS IN 20 PATIENTS

Background. - Surgical treatment of cystic lymphangioma (CL) is so oft en followed by local and general complications that non invasive treat ment must be considered. Population and methods, - Between 1987 and 19 93, 20 patients with a superficial macrocystic lymphangioma were treat ed by percutaneous injection of Ethibloc(R) in order to reduce the vol ume of the the CL, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Fourteen CL wer e cervico-facial and six were located in tile upper half of the body. The size of the lesion was determined by echography: three CL were les s than 5 cm in diameter, 12 between 5 and 10 cm, five more than 10 cm. Two to 5 mt. of Ethibloc(R) were injected during one (15 cases) or se veral sessions (five cases). Results. - Reduction in volume was excell ent in 12 patients after one session and in four patients after severa l sessions. Four patients had a poor result. All the patients suffered from an important inflammatory reaction for 2 or 3 days followed by e xteriorisation of the Ethibloc(R) in seven patients, with a discrete f inal scar. Conclusion. - These fair results suggest that intracystic i njection of Ethibloc(R) represents an effective alternative to surgery .