THERAPEUTICAL NOTES   

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2011 September;13(3):145-7

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Dermatosurgical treatment for lymphangioma and hemolymphangioma: a clinical series

Pierleoni M. ¹, Catrani S. ¹, Arcangeli F. ²

¹ U.O. di Dermatologia, Ospedale “Infermi”, Azienda USL di Rimini, Rimini; ² U.O. di Dermatologia, Ospedale “M. Bufalini”, Azienda USL di Cesena, Cesena

Lymphangiomas are circumscribed dilatations of lymph vessels. When associated with blood-filled vascular lacunae, they appear morphologically as more variegated structures termed hemolymphangioma. Of dysplastic embryonic origin, they have a consistently benign natural history. Lymphangioma and hemolymphangioma localized to the skin or extracutaneous tissues account for about 25% of benign vascular tumors in children. Treatment for these often small and asymptomatic skin lesions is not usually indicated unless they are symptomatic or disrupt cosmetic appearance. Currently, there is no effective medical treatment. Oral cortisone therapy has proved unsatisfactory. Studies on the use of propranolol are under way. When feasible, surgical treatment remains the most effective therapy. Here we report our case series of 42 patients who underwent surgery for lymphangioma or hemolymphangioma.