Lymphangioma in children: symptoms, causes, features of treatment and prevention

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the main causes of neoplasm in children are disorders in the development of tissues or internal organs during embryonic development.

As a rule, such formations as, for example, lymphangioma in children, are detected immediately after birth or in the first years of life. The most common tumors of connective tissue nature include hemangiomas and lymphangiomas. The growth of benign neoplasms in children occurs much faster than in adults, requires rapid diagnosis and selection of a further method of treatment.

What are benign tumors?

Benign tumors of the vascular tissue are divided into:

• Vascular neoplasms (hemangiomas);
• Vascular anomalies (nevuses, telangiecties).

Hemangiomas (angiomas) occur as a result of impaired development of blood vessels. It is noted that their rapid growth is mainly in the first six months after the birth of the child. During the growth of angioma damages the surrounding tissues, forming persistent cosmetic and functional defects.

The most common are capillary hemangiomas, consisting of many chaotically located capillaries. They have a superficial location and do not damage the deep layers of the dermis. When viewed, visualized as a flat or slightly rising above the skin spot with clearly delineated borders of bright red (rarely bluish) shade. Prone to spontaneous involution up to 7-8 years. Favorite localizations: head, face, upper back and chest.

Cavernous angiomas are formed by cavities separated by connective tissue bridges. Prone to germination in depth, affect subcutaneous fat and muscle tissue. They do not have clear boundaries. When placed on the neck and face lead to their asymmetry and deformation. A characteristic feature is the enhanced blood filling of the angioma when crying and crying.

Branched hemangiomas are formed by the accumulation of atypical vessels, usually located on the lateral surfaces of the neck and face. The tumor pulsates, hot to the touch. There is a slow growth, in comparison with other hemangiomas.

Mixed angiomas consisting of vascular and other tissues, as well as combined, combining the signs of the above-described tumors, are rare.

Treatment of vascular tumors

Absolute indication for angioma therapy is considered superfast progression of the tumor, outstripping the development of the child, as well as dangerous localization (parotid, orbital and temporal regions) and the presence of branched angiomas, not prone to involution.

The tendency of angiomas to rapid growth in the first months of life is especially pronounced. A small, superficial formation can grow up to 3-4 times within a few weeks.

With small capillary and cavernous hemangiomas, conservative therapy with propranolol is used. Also effective:

• Introduction into the tumor of ethyl alcohol diluted with novocaine;
• Hormonal sclerotherapy;
• Cryodestruction;
• Excision of the tumor;
• Electrocoagulation;
• With branched angiomas, ligation of feeding vessels with further excision of the tumor.

Differential diagnosis of lymphangiomas and hemangiomas

What is the difference between hemangiomas and lymphangiomas in children? Angioma is the formation of a red or cyanotic hue, when puncturing, blood is secreted. Characteristically increased filling of hemangioma with blood during crying and crying of the child, easily falls off when pressed, becomes paler when pressed with glass.

Lymphangioma in children is characterized by a pale shade of the tumor, the discharge of a clear liquid in the punctate, the absence of depression when pressed.

Benign neoplasms of lymphatic vessels

How does lymphangioma develop in children, the causes and recommendations for treatment are discussed below.

Lymphangiomas are related to dysembryogenetic tumors and are a violation of the development of the lymphatic system. In clinical practice, angiomas are less common.

As a rule, the diagnosis is not established immediately after birth, but after a few months because initially lymphangioma in children is in a dormant condition, its active growth and increase occur as a result of traumatic injury, inflammation, and physiological growth of the child.

Favorite localizations are: the lateral surface of the neck, the bottom of the mouth, tongue, lips.

Rarely are there lymphangiomas of the abdominal cavity organs and secondary tumors arising as a result of lymph drainage disorders (postoperative complications, lymphangitis).

Simple lymphangiomas (capillary)

The most common lymphangioma in children is manifested in the form of macrochemia (enlargement of the lip) and macroglossia (an increase in the tongue). Characteristic is the appearance of multiple, closely spaced bubbles with cloudy light contents. The tumor has a dough-like consistency, is painless on palpation. In the absence of treatment, the defeat of the tongue leads to the formation of an incorrect bite, an abnormal arrangement of the teeth.

Cavernous lymphangiomas

When viewed, multiple merging cavities and nodules with unclear contents are visualized. The tumor is localized in soft tissues and leads to significant deformities of the neck and face.

Cystic lymphangiomas

Characterized by clear boundaries, multi-chamber and migration of lymph from one cavity to another when the tumor is squeezed. Lymphangioma of the neck in children is one of the most common benign neoplasms and is most often manifested on the lateral surface of the neck. Less commonly, cystic lymphangioma is localized in the oral cavity.

Infection of lymphangioma

The rapid growth of the tumor, its painfulness upon palpation, hyperemia, swelling of the skin and the appearance of general toxication symptoms (fever, weakness, etc.) attest to the attachment of the inflammatory process.

If there was a cutaneous lymphangioma in a child, than to smear a tumor you can find out from a specialist. Usually in such cases, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ointments ("Lincomycin", "Clindamycin", "Levomikol", erythromycin ointment), systemic antibiotic therapy and antihistamines are used.

Treatment:

• Decompression punctures.
• Sclerotherapy with quinine urethane.
• Surgical excision and removal of pathological tissues.
• Combined treatment.
• Ultrasonic destruction with further aspiration of the contents.

Lymphangiomas of the abdominal cavity

Lymphangioma of the abdominal cavity in children is manifested by the following symptoms. As a rule, patients enter the clinic with the diagnosis of an "acute abdomen" (acute appendicitis, mesodenitis, adnexitis, diverticulum of Meckel). The main complaints of pain in the abdominal cavity, with tumors of large size, possible asymmetry of the abdomen. Vomiting and upset of the stool are not characteristic. When palpation is revealed a dense, inactive formation, painless, low-shift.

For differential diagnosis, the use of ultrasound, computed tomography is informative. In the general analysis of blood there are no inflammatory changes, characteristic of the "acute abdomen".

Treatment operative. Laparotomy is performed with excision of the neoplasm and its further histological examination.

Prevention

Children with benign neoplasms are subject to compulsory dispensary registration. After the treatment, regular examinations at the maxillofacial surgeon are recommended:

• During the first year - once every three months;
• In the second year - twice a year;
• From the third year - after treatment once a year until reaching adulthood.

Treatment at the dentist is carried out with the purpose of correction of a pathological occlusion and at the speech therapist for correction of speech.

Why does lymphangioma develop in children? Causes of the disease may consist in the transferred infections during the period of embryonic development. Specific prophylaxis of hemangiomas and lipangiomas does not exist, since these neoplasms develop due to dysembryogenesis and are congenital.

When planning pregnancy, a TORCH infection is recommended (viruses that cause congenital fetal pathologies: rubella, chickenpox, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, syphilis, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2), rejection of bad habits, intake of special vitamin complexes, observation in a female consultation and Regular visit to the gynecologist.