Abstract
Surgical excision is considered the treatment of choice for cystic hygromas (CH). However, radical surgery may result in serious complications, and nerve palsy due to dissection occurs in 12% – 33% of cases in most series. Resection is especially difficult and sometimes impossible if the lesion involves the floor of the mouth, tongue, and larynx. Different alternative treatment modalities have been advocated in cases of life-threatening, unresectable CHs, however, most of them are associated with severe side effects and doubtful effectiveness. Two children with inoperable CHs of the head and neck are presented. Since intralesional injection of sclerosing agents was unsuccessful, they were treated with IV cyclophosphamide. In both patients tumor size markedly regressed and vital functions stabilized, even though only partial remission was obtained. Cyclophosphamide seems to be a useful and well-tolerated treatment alternative in children with unresectable life-threatening CHs.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Rashid RA (1971) Cyclophosphamide and radiation therapy in the treatment of hemangioendothelioma with disseminated intravascular clotting. Cancer 27: 364–368
Bailey CM (1990) Cystic hygroma: editorial. Lancet 335: 511–512
Balakrishnan A, Bailey CM (1991) Lymphangioma of the tongue. A review of pathogenesis, treatment and the use of surface laser photocoagulation. J Laryngol Otol 105: 924–930
Barrand KG, Freeman NV (1973) Massive infiltrating cystic hygroma of the neck in infancy. Arch Dis Child 48: 523–531
Cohen S (1986) Lymphangiomas of the larynx in infants and children. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl 127: 1–20
Dickerhoff R, Bode U (1990) Cyclophosphamide in nonresectable cystic hygroma. Letter to the Editor. Lancet 335: 1474–1475
Emery PJ, Bailey CM, Evans JNG (1984) Cystic hygroma of the head and neck. A review of 37 cases. J Laryngol Otol 98: 613–619
Hurvitz CH, Alkalay AL, Sloninsky L, Kallus M, Pomerance JJ (1986) Cyclophosphamide therapy in life-threatening vascular tumors. J Pediatr 109: 360–363
Kennedy T (1989) Cystic hygromalymphangioma: a rare and still unclear entity. Laryngoscope 99: 1–10
Ogita S, Tsuto T, Deguchi E, Tokiwa K, Nagashima M, Iwai N (1991) OK-432 therapy for unresectable lymphangiomas in children. J Pediatr Surg 26: 263–270
Tanigawa N, Shimomatsuya T, Takahashi K, et al (1987) Treatment of cystic hygroma and lymphangioma with the use of bleomycin fat emulsion. Cancer 60: 741–749
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lackner, H., Urban, C., Schwinger, W. et al. Cyclophosphamide therapy in life-threatening inoperable cystic hygromas. Pediatr Surg Int 10, 199–201 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00171200
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00171200