sildenafil-citrate and Head-and-Neck-Neoplasms

Lymphatic malformations (LMs) occur in 2.8 to 5 per 100,000 live births. Most involve the head and neck and they are equally common in men and women. They are developmental anomalies of unknown cause, although recent evidence suggests that an upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway may be a causal factor leading to the overproduction of abnormal lymph vessels. These vessels are likely dilated lymphatic sacs sequestered from the lymphatic and venous systems. This overproduction results in the accumulation of lymph in dilated cystic spaces, which in turn results in the clinical features of an LM.

Topics: Combined Modality Therapy; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Lymphangioma; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sclerotherapy; Sildenafil Citrate; Sirolimus; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Treatment Outcome

Cystic hygroma is a benign congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. Most of the cystic hygromas are found in the neck; other rare locations include axilla, mediastinum, and limbs. Symptoms range from mere presence of lesions to gross morbidity secondary to compression of adjacent organs, infection, hemorrhage etc. Treatment is primarily aimed at complete surgical resection. Other treatment modalities include sclerotherapy, radiotherapy and laser ablation as well as medical therapy with sirolimus but recurrence rate is high. We present a neonate with right sided cystic hygroma whose lesion settled completely with sildenafil.

Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lymphangioma, Cystic; Sildenafil Citrate; Treatment Outcome