Preoperative n-BCA embolization in the resection of submandibular lymphatic malformations refractory to sclerotherapy treatment: A pilot case series

Abstract

Objective: Lymphatic malformations in the submandibular neck pose unique challenges to treatment that elevate their risk of recurrence. This case series provides a review of five patients, previously treated with sclerotherapy or with a history of multiple infections, who were treated in a novel fashion: single-stage resection using preoperative n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) glue embolization.

Methods: We performed a retrospective medical record review of five patients who underwent single-stage n-BCA embolization by Interventional Radiology followed by surgical resection by Otolaryngology, including a review of their symptoms, previous treatments, and post-treatment surveillance, with follow-up ranging from 4 to 24 months after the treatment of interest.

Results: All study subjects had unremarkable perioperative courses, and four patients did not demonstrate any evidence of disease recurrence or persistence during the follow-up period. One patient was found to have a small area of persistent disease on post-treatment imaging, but has remained symptom free.

Conclusions: Treatment of submandibular lymphatic malformations with n-BCA embolization followed by surgical resection can be performed in a single stage. This case series demonstrates that this approach can yield durable relief of symptoms, even in patients whose lesions were refractory to previous treatments.

Keywords: Case series; Glue embolization; Lymphatic malformation; Resection; Single stage; n-BCA.