Pediatric lymphangiomas of the head and neck

To better define the cause. presentation, diagnosis, and staging of lymphan giomas, we reviewed all cases of lymphangiomas of the head and neck region in children seen at our institution between 1986 and 1996. Sixty-seven chil dren were identified (31 male and 36 female). Age at presentation ranged fr om birth to 18 years. All but 8 patients presented with an obvious mass, an d 5 required tracheotomy because of airway obstruction. The most common loc ation was the submandibular region (37%), followed by the parotid gland (31 %). Treatment ranged from observation to extensive and multiple resections. Thirty-one patients underwent only 1 resection, and 2 patients received in terferon as part of their treatment. Lesions involving the lip, hypopharynx and/or larynx, the tongue, and the floor of the mouth had high rates of re current or persistent disease. We review our experience with these difficul t lesions and propose a staging system based on functional deficit, cosmeti c changes, sites of involvement, and age at diagnosis.