Lymphatic malformations are another type of vascular abnormality. They are often large fluid filled spaces containing lymph instead of blood. These are called macrocystic lymphatic malformations. The other type of lymphatic maiformation is “microcystic and this type contains multiple tiny spaces.
The macrocystic malformations are commonly diagnosed in childhood and can grow to be very large. They can occasionally compress nearby structures and if these are important, e.g. the trachea (windpipe), treatment may be required soon.
They are treated in a similar fashion to venous malformations using sclerotherapy and similar risks are present. The risk of this is minimal in most cases but this will be discussed with you before the procedure.
Sclerotherapy treatment involves the injection of a special chemical into the venous malformation to ultimately shrink it and relieve the symptoms it is causing. It is typically carried out as a day case procedure in hospital.
Various substances can be used but most commonly the chemical used is Sodium Tetradecyl sulphate (Fibrovein). When injected into a lesion it causes an inflammatory reaction which leads to localised blood clots and the formation of a scar in place of the venous malformation, causing the malformation to shrink.
Sclerotherapy is carried out under ultrasound and X-ray control. This allows the doctor needs to make sure that the needle goes into exactly the right place and to assess the degree of communication with veins nearby.
Often a ‘course’ of multiple injections are required to adequately treat a venous malformation and it can be some time before you notice a significant difference. Not all venous malformations are successfully treated in this way but in the vast majority of cases significant results are achieved.
Sclerotherapy is not a ‘cure’ for these malformations but is aimed at controlling symptoms and reducing the size. Sclerotherapy may not treat skin discolouration associated with some: malformations.
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