Lymphangioma Circumscriptum: Treatment Modalities for this Unyielding Condition

Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a superficial lymphatic malformation, presenting as lymph-filled micro-to-macroscopic vesicles. It is oftentimes disfiguring and can negatively affect one's quality of life due to complications such as infection, pain and lymphorrhea, making it of high value to elucidate current treatment options for the condition. High recurrence rates and a risk of scarring make lymphangioma circumscriptum difficult to treat. A broad literature search was performed using PubMed in January 2017 to compile all available published articles that studied treatments for lymphangioma circumscriptum. Incidentally, the treatment options that have been described for the condition are primarily restricted to case reports and limited case series, rendering need for further large, randomized-controlled studies to accurately assess their efficacy and safety. Our correspondence consolidates information about the most commonly used treatment options for LC, many of which are noninvasive, minimize complications, and result in improved aesthetic outcomes. More specifically, we describe of surgical excision, laser therapy, sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, radiotherapy, electrocautery, electrodessication and more recently, imiquimod in treating lymphangioma circumscriptum. The majority of the described treatments provide palliative care, with only resection being used as a definitive treatment for lymphangioma circumscriptum. Nevertheless, most of the therapeutic options facilitated clearance of lymphangioma circumscriptum with minimal adverse effects.