A Case of Cystic Lymphangioma in an Infant Treated with OK-432 Scierotherapy Requiring Endotracheal Intubation

Abstract

Cystic lymphangiomas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system, such as benign tumors that may be seen in the neck of infants. Surgical therapy entails risk of complications, depending on the location and extent of the tumor. Therefore, alternative treatments such as sclerotherapy with OK-432, have been developed. We report here a case of cystic lymphangioma treated by ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous aspiration and intraregional injection of OK-432 under general anesthesia. The difficulty in this case was the location of the tumor, which contacted the trachea. If OK-432 were to induce an inflammatory response in the trachea, it could lead to tracheal stenosis and respiratory disturbances. Therefore, this case required endotracheal Intubation and mechanical ventilation after injection therapy for three days. OK-432 sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for cystic lymphangiomas in infants, and should be considered before surgical excision.