Cervical Lymphangiomas in Children: Non-Surgical Treatment with Focus on Sclerotherapy. Literature Review

Abstract

Objectives: To discuss the non-surgical strategies for the management of cervical lymphangiomas in children, with particular attention to sclerotherapy. Methods: A literature review of the last fifteen years about sclerotherapy of cervical lymphangiomas in children was performed and the main sclerosing agents were reported, highlighting the nature, the mechanism of action and the rates of success, recurrences and complications related to each and every substance; furthermore, the several steps of the procedure are illustrated. Alternative approaches are also mentioned. Results: 47 articles were collected, mostly dealing with sclerotherapy with OK-432, bleomycin/pingyangmycin and doxycycline; other potential substances include, above all, sodium tetradecyl-sulphate and ethanol. Laser therapy and radio-frequency ablation are valid options in case of mucosal micro-cystic lesions; oral medications (e.g. Sirolimus) and the newest target-therapies are added to local treatments in some Series.