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 Table of Contents  
LETTER TO EDITOR
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 4  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 87-89

Unilateral mucocutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum of the face: Treated successfully with sclerotherapy and laser


Department of Dermatology and Leprology, MIMSR Medical College, Latur, Maharastra, India

Date of Web Publication31-Dec-2018

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Mahesh M Unni
Department of Dermatology and Leprology, MIMSR Medical College, Ambajogi Road, Latur - 413 512, Maharastra
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijdd.ijdd_24_18

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How to cite this article:
Unni MM, Ankit K, Devalla S, Chandele V. Unilateral mucocutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum of the face: Treated successfully with sclerotherapy and laser. Indian J Drugs Dermatol 2018;4:87-9

How to cite this URL:
Unni MM, Ankit K, Devalla S, Chandele V. Unilateral mucocutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum of the face: Treated successfully with sclerotherapy and laser. Indian J Drugs Dermatol [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 29];4:87-9. Available from: https://www.ijdd.in/text.asp?2018/4/2/87/249186

Sir,

Lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is very rare hamartomatous, congenital malformed growths of the lymphatic system in skin and subcutaneous tissue. In the classification of lymphangiomas, LC has been placed in the superficial subgroup under the deep (macrocystic) group. They have classical clinical and histopathological features such as presence of translucent, discrete or group vesicles (frog spawn), and by grouped cystic spaces in the papillary dermis.[1] Herein, we present a rare case of mucocutaneous LC, involving right oral mucosa and chin skin and treated successfully with sclerotherapy and laser ablation. This is the first case report in world literature as per our knowledge.

A 15-year-old boy presented with growth in the right buccal mucosa extending to chin skin since childhood. The lesion interfered with mastication, impinged between teeth causing pain and rarely bled. The chief complaint, however, was cosmetic appearance as it involved a visible portion of oral cavity and face skin. Clinical examination revealed linear, multivesicular swellings and hemorrhagic, crusted swellings (red to blue in color) extending up to angle of mouth [Figure 1]a. These tumors were nontender, nonpulsatile with an irregular warty surface and firm in consistency. The right side of the chin skin showed grouped vesicles with flesh colored to dark red and black colored [Figure 1]b. A clinical diagnosis of lymphangioma was made due to frog spawn appearance, after which biopsy from mucosa was taken. Radiological investigations are such as color Doppler (CD) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. CD studies showed soft-tissue swelling with echogenic character and mild vascularity, but MRI showed hyperintense lesion involving right lip and buccal mucosa; indicating a risk of relapse [Figure 2]a and [Figure 2]b. Routine blood investigations were normal.
Figure 1: (a) Linear, multi-vesicular swellings with hemorrhagic, crusted hard swellings (red to blushish in color) extending up to angle of the mouth. (b) The right side of the chin skin showed grouped vesicles with flash colored to dark red and black colored

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Figure 2: (a) Colour Doppler studies showed soft-tissue swelling with echogenic character with mild vascularity. (b) Magnetic resonance imaging showing hyperintense lesion involving Rt lip and buccal mucosa

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Histopathological examination revealed grouped dilated cystic spaces in the papillary dermis. The cystic spaces were lined by endothelial cells containing blood and lymphatic fluid at places [Figure 3]. We finally made a diagnosis of unilateral mucocutaneous LC.
Figure 3: Dilated cystic spaces are lined by endothelial cells containing blood and lymphatic fluid at places in papillary dermis (H and E, ×40)

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As our patient had a history of relapse postexcision from a local general surgeon 5 years back, he was reluctant for any surgery. Thus, we decided to go for sclerotherapy injections for oral lesions and laser ablative surgery for skin growths. We injected Sodium tetradecyl sulfate solution 3% (Sterol) diluted in 30 ml normal saline subcutaneously with an insulin syringe. This was repeated after 2 months. Lesions reduced dramatically after the first session, and there was total clearance after second sclerotherapy session. For the skin on the surface of the chin, two passes of erbium 2900 nm 3 mm during the second visit almost cleared the growths [Figure 4]a and [Figure 4]b. We wanted to utilize two different modalities and compare outcome for our case, which was a satisfactory one. There was no relapse in the past 10 months of regular follow-ups.
Figure 4: (a) Postsclerothepy clearance of mucosal picture. (b) Posttreatment facial picture

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  Discussion Top


LC is a term best reserved for a lymphatic malformation that is localized to an area of skin and subcutaneous tissue. These lymphatic malformations account for 4% of all vascular malformations and about 25% of all vascular tumors[2] and present early in life (0–2 years), mostly in the head and neck area.

Mucocutaneous LC (MCLC) is a very rarely encountered in clinical practice. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no reported case of MCLC in world literature, other than the report on zosteriform LC on right upper back skin.[3] LC was first described by Fox and Fox in 1879 under the name lympangiectodes, the present term was given by Morris in1889, and its dermatopathology was described by Whimster in 1976.[1],[2]

These malformations have to be differentiated from vascular malformations such as pyogenic granuloma, hemangiomas, teratoma, neurofibroma, viral warts, molluscum papules, condyloma growths, herpes infection, and cutaneous metastatic growths (carcinoma telangiectodes).[2],[3]

Incisional biopsy for histological examination remains the most definitive diagnostic tool for oral lymphangioma. Radiological studies such as CD, computed tomography (CT) scanning, MRI studies help to know the location and extension of the growth as well as the surrounding structure. This helps in planning the treatment modality – medical, surgical or combination, which was used in our case. These studies help in assessing the chances of relapses also.[4],[5]

Many treatment modalities are available for these rare benign growths such as incision and drainage, cryotherapy, radical surgical excision, radio cautery, laser ablative surgery, sclerotherapy, oral sildenafil, and sirolimus.[4],[6],[7]

As these growths have a high tendency of recurring after surgical excision, because of their deep component, they are best managed conservatively. Sclerotherapy is the mainstay of treatment of macrocystic lymphatic malformations, particularly a case like ours.

In conclusion, we describe a rare variant of LC, namely MCLC involving the right side of chin and oral mucosa in a 15-year-old male, who showed a remarkably favorable response to sclerotherapy-laser ablation treatment, as manifested by clearance of the growths without scarring or relapse in 9 months of follow-up. However, a long-term follow-up is necessary, and further studies are required to establish the efficacy of sclerotherapy as these cases are known for relapse.

Acknowledgment

Prof. Sachinanda S, MD, Ex Professor and HOD, BMC, Bangalore for his guidance in the treatment who is expert in sclerotherapy in India.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient has given his consent for his images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

 
  References Top

1.
Sacchidanand S, Shwetha S, Rajendran SC. Diseases of arteries, veins, and lymphatics. In: Sacchidannad S, Oberai C, Inamadar AC, editors. IADVL Textbook of Dermatology. 4th ed. Mumbai: Bhalani Publishing House; 2015. p. 1144-5.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Patel GA, Schwartz RA. Cutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum: Frog spawn on the skin. Int J Dermatol 2009;48:1290-5.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Patel GA, Siperstein RD, Ragi G, Schwartz RA. Zosteriform lymphangioma circumscriptum. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat 2009;18:179-82.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Mortimer PS, Gordon K. Disorders of the lymphatic vessels. In: Griffiths C, Barker J, Bleiker T, editors. Rooks Textbook of Dermatology. 9th ed. UK: Wiley Blackwell; 2016. p. 105.34-105.37.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Osborne GE, Chinn RJ, Francis ND, Bunker CB. Magnetic resonance imaging in the investigation of penile lymphangioma circumscriptum. Br J Dermatol 2000;143:467-8.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Bikowski JB, Dumont AM. Lymphangioma circumscriptum: Treatment with hypertonic saline sclerotherapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2005;53:442-4.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Haas AF, Narurkar VA. Recalcitrant breast lymphangioma circumscriptum treated by UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser. Dermatol Surg 1998;24:893-5.  Back to cited text no. 7
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]



 

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