Management of head and neck lymphatic malformations in children

Lymphatic malformations (LM) are complex entities. Their development and management remain controversial. A retrospective review of 35 patients treated for lymphatic malformation over a 10-year period (1985-1995) is presented. The demographics of the cases, the method of presentation, treatment modalities, and outcomes are presented. The majority or patients presented at birth, and 83% were treated before the age of 7 years. The most common presentation was an asymptomatic neck mass (74%), of which 54% were in the posterior triangle and 17% were in the submandibular space. The treatment was primarily surgical excision: 22 (63%) patients had total surgical excision, 7 (20%) had partial excision, and 6 (17%) had needle aspiration. A proposal of management is presented.