Objective: To discuss the diagnosis and effective treatment of cystic lymphangiomas located in head and neck in children.
Method: Fifteen cystic lymphangiomas,diagnosed with pathological evidence, located in head and neck in children were retrospectively analyzed including clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up data.
Result: CT and ultrasonography were used to evaluate the size, shape and extent of lymphangiomas in all patients. All patients were treated with surgery. Complete resection was performed in 14 cases, and subtotal resection in one case. Two post-operative complications were found,one was paralyses of mandibular branch of facial nerve, another was Horners syndrome. Tracheotomy operation was done in one case,and the tracheal cannula was taken away before discharged from hospital. Fourteen patients were followed up. There was no recurrence during the follow-up from 6 months to 8 years, while one case who suffered from Horner's syndrome after operation was not cured.
Conclusion: CT and ultrasonography are effective to diagnose cystic lymphangiomas and evaluate the security of clinical treatment. Total or subtotal resection is effective to treat cystic lymphangiomas.