Sirolimus-induced pulmonary hemorrhage of an infant with massive cervicofacial lymphatic malformation: A case report

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Jan:164:111404. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111404. Epub 2022 Nov 26.

Abstract

Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are uncommon congenital abnormalities of the lymphatic system. As more than half of these lesions develop in the head and neck, LMs can be life-threatening if associated with airway involvement. LMs necessitate a multidisciplinary treatment approach, frequently including surgery and sclerotherapy. We present a case report of a 32-week pre-term male infant with a massive cervicofacial LM necessitating delivery via ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT). The patient was treated with numerous rounds of sclerotherapy, systemic sirolimus, and surgical debulking, but ultimately died at 4 months of age due to acute pulmonary hemorrhage, which may have been related to sirolimus due to the absence of any other associable organ involvement or derangement. We document the patient's clinical course and treatment regimen, highlighting the myriad modalities employed to treat these challenging lesions, and describe a potentially lethal complication of sirolimus therapy not previously described in the treatment of pediatric LM.

Keywords: Lymphatic malformation; Pulmonary hemorrhage; Sirolimus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Head
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lymphangioma, Cystic*
  • Lymphatic Abnormalities* / surgery
  • Male
  • Neck
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Sirolimus / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Sirolimus