1.Intralesional Injection of OK-432 in Cystic Hygroma
Muhammad Hazim ; Shamina Sara Moses ; Ing Ping Tang
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(6):328-330
Background: Lymphangiomas are congenital malformations
of the lymphatic system with characteristic dilated
endothelium-lined spaces. It is vulnerability to infection or
chemical irritants cause spontaneous reduction in size and
in some cases complete resolution. Intralesional injection of
OK-432 or Picibanil (lyophilized incubation mixture of Group
A Streptococcus pyogenes of human origin) is slowly
gaining recognition as its safety and efficacy standards
have shown to avoid complications resulting from surgical
interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
clinical outcomes of cystic hygroma patients who received
OK-432 injections.
Methods: In between 2011 and 2013, six patients with cystic
hygroma received intralesional injection of OK-432. All the
patients were assessed clinically and radiologically either
via ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) or magnetic
resonant imaging (MRI) prior to and after receiving the
injections. Patients’ response towards treatment was
classified as total shrinkage, marked shrinkage (greater than
50% reduction in size), slight shrinkage (less than 50%
reduction in size) or non-responsive to treatment.
Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 12 months. Total
shrinkage was achieved in one patient, marked shrinkage in
three patients and one patient experienced mild shrinkage.
Only one out of the six patients showed no response to
treatment. None of the patients in this study experienced
serious complications or adverse effects post intralesional
injection of OK-432.
Conclusions:
Intralesional OK-432 injection is an effective and safe
alternative in treating cystic hygroma.