Lymphangioma Circumscriptum Post Radiotherapy for Penile Cancer Treated with CO2 Laser.

Lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is a rare, benign condition, predominantly characterized by the malformation of lymphatic skin vessels. Its onset may be congenital or due to secondary causes such as radiotherapy, infections, or surgical procedures. We present the case of a 55-year-old patient with a pathologic history of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis followed by radical penectomy. Due to metastasis to the locoregional lymph nodes, the entire affected area was subsequently treated with radiation therapy, receiving a total dose of 55.8 Gray. Eight years after this treatment, translucent vesicles filled with a clear liquid appeared on the scrotum. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of LC and therapy with CO2 laser was applied, resulting in a favorable outcome. LC of the scrotum may present a long-term radiotherapy-induced complication of this site. Our clinical experience showed that the CO2 laser was the therapy of choice as the vesicles entirely disappeared and healed as white scar-like lesions.

Evaluation of a New Method for the Treatment of Invasive, Diffuse, and Unexcisable Lymphangiomas of the Oral Cavity with Defocus CO2 Laser Beam: A 20-Year Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficiency of a new therapeutic method using CO2 laser to avoid mutilation or total excision for the treatment of invasive, large and unexcisable oral lymphangiomas. BACKGROUND DATA: Cystic lymphatic malformations, or lymphangiomas, are mature lymphatic malformations, consisting of abnormal lymphatic vessels. Surgical excision is considered by most surgeons to be the treatment of choice for lymphangioma. Laser beam has been used to treat superficial or small lymphatic malformations by excision or by photocoagulation, and to excise or photocoagulate small lymphangiomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with diffuse and unexcisable lymphangiomas were treated using a CO2 laser with specific settings: beam was 2 W in noncontact and defocus mode, power density was 0.63 W/cm2 for irradiation time in the range of 3-5 min, and the estimated energy density range was 114.65-191.02 J/cm2. The beam diameter at the tissular impact point was ±2 cm. The laser beam was defocused to provoke a deep heat generation that would dry up the lymphatic tissues and induce deep tissue necrosis that heals by fibrous tissue process. RESULTS: The results were satisfactory and stable, with localized recurrence in three cases. The recurrent areas were re-treated using the same technique successfully and with no further recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CO2 laser under the suggested irradiation conditions can be considered a useful technique for the treatment of invasive lymphangiomas.

Mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma arising from cystic lymphangioma: case report in a child.

Mediastinal disease is a frequent clinical presentation in children with Hodgkin lymphoma. It is usually due to mediastinal lymphadenopathy or involvement of the thymus gland. Cystic lymphangiomas are benign tumors of the lymphatic system, and less than 1% present as a solitary mediastinal mass. To our knowledge, there has been no report in the literature describing Hodgkin lymphoma arising from cystic lymphangioma. In this report, we describe a patient with mediastinal cystic lymphangioma, from which Hodgkin lymphoma was determined to have arisen.

Infected giant lymphangioma circumscriptum treated with a combination therapy.

Lymphangioma circumscriptum is an uncommon benign disorder of skin and subcutaneous tissues characterized by dilated lymphatic channels. It is an uncommon vascular tumor and it rarely becomes infected. We report a 20-year-old man who had an infected giant tumor in his left thigh. After an extensive resection and radiofrequency energy therapy, he recovered well with an acceptable cosmetic result. We followed up the patient for 2 years without any recurrence.

Linfangiomas de cavidad oral en edad pediátrica / Lymphangiomas of the oral cavity in childhood

Los linfangiomas son tumores raros y benignos producidos por el desarrollo anómalo de los vasos linfáticos. Presentamos un caso de linfangioma quístico asintomático localizado en paladar duro; se trata de una localización atípica, puesto que la mayoría de esas lesiones se localizan en la lengua a nivel de cavidad oral. Se realizó una resección con láser de CO2, sin que se evidenciase recidiva tras dos años de seguimiento. Actualmente se acepta adoptar una actitud expectante o el tratamiento con agentes esclerosantes que reduzcan su tamaño o los eliminen (AU)

Lymphangiomas are rare, benign tumors produced by the abnormal development of the lymphatic vessels. We present a case of asymptomatic cystic lymphangioma localized in the hard palate. This is an uncommon location since most of these lesions are found in the tongue at the level of the oral cavity. Resection was performed with CO laser, and there was no evidence of recurrence after two years of follow-up. At the present time, the approaches most widely accepted are expectant treatment or administration of sclerosing agents that reduce the size of the lesions or eliminate them (AU)

Utilización del láser diodo en la vía aérea pediátrica / Diode laser application for the treatment of pediatric airway pathologies

Introducción y objetivo. El tratamiento con láser de las lesiones de la vía aérea es una opción terapéutica muy atractiva por la limitada reacción inflamatoria tras la fotocoagulación. Uno de los láseres de más reciente introducción en este campo es el láser diodo. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es presentar la experiencia preliminar en la utilización del láser diodo para el tratamiento de las lesiones de la vía aérea en niños. Material y métodos. Hemos realizado una revisión retrospectiva de los pacientes tratados con láser desde el año 1999 hasta el 2006. Diecinueve pacientes fueron tratados en nuestro centro primariamente con técnicas con láser de diodo y otros 3 enfermos fueron derivados a nuestro centro tras un tratamiento con láser. Todos los procedimientos fueron realizados a través del fibrobroncoscopio. La edad media fue de1,25 años con un rango de edad entre 1 mes y 4,8 años. Once pacientes eran hombres y once mujeres. Las indicaciones que nos han llevado a realizar una resección endoscópica con láser de la lesión fueron enormemente variadas: laringomalacia y lesiones de aritenoides (n=5), angiomas(n=3), linfangiomas (n=3), quistes saculares y otras lesiones mucosas(n=3), granulomas intraluminales (n=3), lesiones cicatriciales (n=4)y parálisis en adducción de las cuerdas vocales. Resultados. Ningún paciente ha presentado complicaciones relacionados con la aplicación del láser diodo endoscópico. La media del número de procedimientos realizados en cada paciente ha sido 1,4 (1a 3). El tiempo medio de intubación tras el tratamiento ha sido de 2,8días (de 4 horas a 13 días). La media de tiempo de estancia en UVI tras la aplicación del tratamiento ha sido de 4,6 días (1-8 días). Los mejores resultados se han conseguido en los pacientes con quistes saculares o lesiones mucosas, excelente en los 3 casos y en los 3 pacientes común granuloma endotraqueal. En los 5 pacientes con lesiones de aritenoides hemos obtenido un resultado funcional excelente tras una media de1,4 procedimientos (rango de 1 a 3). Los enfermos con lesiones vasculares han presentado un resultado variable. De los pacientes con angioma subglótico 2 han requerido una reintervención por presentar estenosissubglótica residual y otro ha precisado corticoterapia a altas dosistras el láser. De los enfermos con linfangioma, uno se ha resuelto tras3 procedimientos endoscópicos y 2 han precisado cirugía posterior. Delos 4 pacientes con lesiones cicatriciales, 3 han precisado una intervención quirúrgica tras el tratamiento con láser. Conclusiones. El láser diodo como tratamiento endoscópico es altamente eficaz en pacientes seleccionados. Las lesiones saculares, mucosas, granulomas y la patología de los aritenoides son, en nuestra experiencia, una excelente indicación. En otras situaciones el láser es un buen complemento precisando siempre hacer un enfoque individualizado (AU)

Laser application for the treatment of pediatric airway pathologies represents a very attractive option because of the limited inflamatoy reaction after photocoagulation. One novel laser used for such pathologies is the diode laser. Aim. The purpose of this report is to present our preliminary experience in the use of diode laser in the treatment of paediatric airwaylesions. Methods. A retrospective review of 22 patients (11 males and 11females) who underwent laser procedures from 1999 to 2006 was performed. Nineteen patients were treated at our center while 3 were referred after a laser application from other institution. In all procedures flexible bronchoscopy was used. The mean age was 1.25 years(range 1 month-4.8 years). Lasers were applied for various lesions: laryngomalacia and arytenoid lesions (n=5), angiomas (n=3), lymphangiomas(n=3), sacular cyst and other mucous lesions (n=3), granulomas, scarring lesions (n=4) and paralysis of vocal cord in adduction(n=1).Results. None of the patient developed complications related tothe endoscopic laser application. The mean number of laser therapy attempts were 1.4 per patient (range 1-3). The patients remained intubated for a mean of 2.8 days (range 4 hours-13 days) after the procedure. The duration of PICU stay after laser therapy was a mean of 4.6days (range 1-8 days). The best outcomes were seen in sacular cysts(excellent in 3 patients). Also, all 3 patients with granulomas showed a good response to treatment. Multiple laser sessions (1-3; mean 1.4)were required to successfully manage the artynenoid lesions. However, the children with vascular lesions demonstrated differents outcomes. Of the 3 patients with subglottic angioma, 2 underwent a subsequent surgical procedure due to the development of subglottic stenosis; and one requiered further systemic steroid therapy. Of the children with lymphangioma, one needed 3 laser sessions and two required surgical resections. Despite laser treatment, 3 of the 4 patients with scarring lesions required surgery. Conclusions. The endoscopic application of diode laser for the management of pediatric airways lesions provides good outcomes inselected patients. Sacular lesions, granulomas and arytenoid lesions are, in our experience, excellents indications. In other anomalies laser is a good adjuvant. The application of laser should be tailored according to the pathology (AU)

Radiotherapy in congenital vulvar lymphangioma circumscriptum.

Congenital lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) of the vulva is a rare disorder with unknown etiology. Treatment options include ablative approaches such as laser therapy, sclerotherapy, and surgery. Radiotherapy has been shown to be effective in the management of congenital lymphangioma especially in the thoracic and abdominal lesions. In this report, we describe a patient with persistent vulvar LC despite sclerosing therapy and several surgical excisions. She was treated with a course of external radiotherapy and showed a dramatic objective response with relief of all symptoms.

Laser therapy of vascular lesions.

Since the first construction of a laser by Maiman in 1960 and the first clinical application of a laser in the therapy of skin lesions by Leon Goldman, laser therapy has become an important therapeutic modality in dermatology. Various lasers can be used for the treatment of different vascular and non-vascular lesions. According to our results, vascular lesions constitute the most important indication for laser therapy in dermatology.

Diffuse thoracic lymphangiomatosis with disseminated intravascular coagulation in a child.

An 8.5-year-old girl who presented with chronic cough and hemoptysis underwent a CT scan of the chest showing diffuse mediastinal and parenchymal infiltration and pleural effusion, and laboratory findings showed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Disseminated lymphangiomatosis was diagnosed after an open-lung biopsy. She was treated by systemic steroids, interferon, tamoxifen, chemotherapy, and radiation but died of respiratory failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation 2 years after the diagnosis. This patient represents a rare presentation of diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis together with disseminated intravascular coagulation, involving both the mediastinum and pulmonary parenchyma, in a child.

Treatment of hemorrhagic lymphatic malformation of the tongue with a pulsed-dye laser.

Hemorrhagic lymphatic malformation (formerly called hemolymphangioma) of the tongue is an uncommon malformation that may pose both functional and cosmetic problems for the patient. The challenge has been to find a conservative treatment with low morbidity and better results than those achieved with surgical excision, which has been the mainstay of therapy. We report a case of successful treatment of a hemorrhagic lymphatic malformation of the tongue with a variable-pulse 595-nm pulsed-dye laser (Vbeam; Candela Corp, Wayland, Mass). In this patient, pulsed-dye laser treatment of the hemorrhagic lymphatic malformation achieved satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes. Its use in superficial vascular lesions of the mucosa should be considered.

Two cases of orbital lymphangioma associated with vascular abnormalities of the retina and iris.

PURPOSE: To report 2 patients with combined intraocular and orbital vascular abnormalities. DESIGN: Two interventional case reports. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and pathologic findings. INTERVENTION/TESTING: Orbitotomy, fluorescein angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiation therapy. RESULTS: Two patients presented with vision loss, intermittent proptosis, and cosmetic deformity. These patients had orbital lymphangioma, ipsilateral retinal and iris vascular malformations, and smaller corneal diameter on the affected side. CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of these diverse vascular anomalies supports the established hypothesis of pluripotential orbital vascular anlagen. Disruptive influences of various types during embryogenesis or development may produce a variety of congenital orbital and intraocular vascular malformations.

Lymphangiolipoma of the lower extremity: 5-year radiological follow-up after radiotherapy treatment.

This report describes a lymphangiolipoma located in the extremity in a young woman. Radiotherapy effectively controlled recurrent lymphangiolipoma of the left upper leg that had been judged inoperable by limb-sparing surgical resection. In the case presented here, a dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks was employed without long-term complications after 5-year follow-up.

Successful control of extensive thoracic lymphangiomatosis by irradiation.

Lymphangiomas are very rare benign tumours, believed to arise from congenital malformations of the lymphatic system. They grow very slowly, but are capable of massive expansion and infiltration of the surrounding tissues. If left untreated they can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications. The thorax is commonly affected, with involvement of the ribs, pleura, pericardium, lung parenchyma, mediastinum and vertebrae. Treatment depends on the extent of the disease. While local excision is the treatment of choice for localized lesions, radiotherapy is used for more extensive disease. In this report we describe three patients with extensive thoracic lymphangiomatosis who were treated successfully with irradiation alone. The value of early diagnosis and treatment is emphasized.

Radiotherapy is a useful treatment for lymphangioma circumscriptum: a report of two patients.

Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a rare non-malignant skin tumour, conventionally treated by surgical resection, but with variable results. We report two cases, which, although unsuitable for excision, were treated successfully by radiotherapy and consider the place of this modality in managing this disorder. We conclude that radiotherapy is an effective treatment for unresectable lesions, or for patients who are unwilling to consider surgery.

Case report: mesenteric mixed haemangioma and lymphangioma; report of a case with 10 year follow-up after radiation treatment.

A patient with massive mixed haemangioma and lymphangioma of the mesentery first presented in childhood with ascites which subsided spontaneously and, subsequently, at 21 years of age, presented with gastrointestinal bleeding. At laparotomy, the lesion was found to involve 90% of the mesentery and was unresectable due to its bulk. Hence he was treated by radiotherapy (15 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks followed by a boost of 5 Gy/4 fractions/4 days). He responded to the treatment. 10 years later he again experienced mild gastrointestinal bleeding which subsided spontaneously. This case illustrates the efficacy of radiotherapy in massive mesenteric haemolymphangiomas. Review of the literature revealed that surgical excision, embolization, and radiotherapy have been used in the treatment of haemangiomas and lymphangiomas. In unresectable cases, radiotherapy has a definite role in the management. A variety of doses has been employed in the literature. No definite dose-response relationship was identified.