LYMPHANGIOMAS OF THE ORAL CAVITY - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL, AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

Purpose: This study evaluated the demographics, treatment outcomes, hi stology, and basement lamina characteristics of a large series of lymp hangiomas, Material and Methods: Forty-seven lymphangiomas of the oval cavity were evaluated microscopically and representative specimens we re also evaluated immunohistochemically (IMH) and by electron microsco py (EM), Results: Patient's ages ranged from 2 to 84 years. The dorsal surface of the tongue was the most common site. Discontinuities in th e basement membrane were detected with IMH and EM. Conclusion: The dis continuous basement membrane may explain why sclerosing agents have no t been effective as a form of treatment for lymphangioma.