Lymphangioma Follow-up

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 13, 2011
 

Further Inpatient Care

In the case of lymphangioma circumscriptum, severe recurrent cellulitis may warrant inpatient care at times, especially in patients who are immunocompromised.

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Further Outpatient Care

Patients with lymphangiomas should be monitored and treated for cellulitis, especially those with ruptured vesicles, which provide a portal of entry for infection. Regular skin examination should be included in the follow-up treatment to evaluate recurrence and the response to treatment.

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Complications

Lymphangioma circumscriptum may occur. Lymphangiomas circumscriptum is associated with minor bleeding, recurrent cellulitis, and lymph fluid leakage. Two cases of lymphangiosarcoma arising from lymphangioma circumscriptum have been reported. However, in both of the patients, the preexisting lesion was exposed to extensive x-ray therapy. Therefore, radiation therapy should be avoided in lymphangiomas.

In cystic hygroma, large cysts can cause dysphagia, respiratory problems, and serious infection if they involve the neck.

A cystic lymphangioma of the scrotum may present as an acute scrotum, owing to the rare complication of hemorrhage.[18]

A Dabska tumor may rarely arise within lymphangioma circumscriptum.[19]

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Prognosis

Lymphangiomas are benign hamartomatous malformations instead of true neoplasms. The prognosis for lymphangiomas is excellent.

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Patient Education

Patients should receive reassurance. Lymphangiomas represent benign lymphatic malformations and not premalignant lesions. Patients should be aware of the risk of recurrence.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Geover Fernandez, MD, FAAD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School

Geover Fernandez, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Society for MOHS Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Carrie L Kovarik, MD  Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Dermatopathology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Carrie L Kovarik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey J Miller, MD  Associate Professor of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Staff Dermatologist, Pennsylvania State Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Jeffrey J Miller, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, North American Hair Research Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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A 44-year-old woman with plaque on her forearm since birth that clinically appeared to be typical lymphangioma circumscriptum. Histologically, however, it had features of both hemangioma and lymphangioma.
Close-up demonstrating the clinical morphology to better advantage.
A 16-year-old obese boy with large unilateral verrucous lymphangioma.
 
 
 
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