Lymphatic malformation: A case report with imaging and ontogenic interpretation

Lymphatic malformations (LM) including circumscriptive lymphatic malformation (CLM) have been thought of as isolated dilations from normal lymphatic channels. We encountered a 40-year-old female with late-onset CLM related to injury at infancy was admitted complaining of pain. Direct injection lymphography revealed a ginger root-like image of dilated subcutaneous cisterns communicating with normal lymphatics. Ethanol sclerotherapy was performed to terminate the development, and then the pain was diminished. Three years later, MRI showed shrunken cisterns. It was suggested that the CLM had been developed as a serial and physiologic disorder of lymphangion. We discussed the rationale of ethanol sclerotherapy on this disease.