Treatment of Lymphatic Malformations

  • Byung-Boong Lee
  • James Laredo
  • Jeong-Meen Seo
  • Richard F. Neville
Chapter

Abstract

The development of the Hamburg Classification, along with a better understanding of vascular malformations, has allowed a more concise description of lymphatic malformation (LM). The management of LM has become clear: “lymphangioma” shou no longer be considered a single LM lesion, but rather one of two different LM lesions belonging to an extratruncular lesion, even though the management of lymphangioma is different from its “truncular” lesion counterpart that clinically presents as primary lymphedema. Although they often present as discrete clinical entities, the lesions can occur together, making clinical management confusing.

Treatment options for lymphangioma should be approached cautiously with appropriate consideration of its embryologic characteristics, as for any other extratruncular lesion, when options such as sclerotherapy and/or surgical excision are being considered.

Primary lymphedema should be managed as a truncular lesion, where decongestive physiotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment to improve lymph-transporting function. Additional surgical therapy, either reconstructive or ablative, should only be carried out as a supplemental therapy with justifiable indications.

Keywords

Venous Malformation Marginal Vein Lymphatic Malformation Compression Therapy Young Male Patient 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Italia 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Byung-Boong Lee
    • 1
  • James Laredo
    • 2
  • Jeong-Meen Seo
    • 3
  • Richard F. Neville
    • 2
  1. 1.Center for Vein, Lymphatics and Vascular Malformation, Division of Vascular SurgeryGeorgetown University School of MedicineWashingtonUSA
  2. 2.Department of Surgery Division of Vascular SurgeryGeorgetown University HospitalWashingtonUSA
  3. 3.Division of Pediatric SurgerySamSung Medical Center & Sungkyunkwan UniversityKangnam-Ku, SeoulKorea

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