Volume 11, Issue 8 e201700124
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Current status, pitfalls and future directions in the diagnosis and therapy of lymphatic malformation

Ravi W. Sun

Ravi W. Sun

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Valery V. Tuchin

Valery V. Tuchin

Research-Educational Institute of Optics and Biophotonics, Saratov National Research State University, Saratov, Russia

Institute of Precision Mechanics and Control, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saratov, Russia

Laboratory of Femtomedicine, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia

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Vladimir P. Zharov

Vladimir P. Zharov

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Nanomedicine Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Ekaterina I. Galanzha

Corresponding Author

Ekaterina I. Galanzha

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Nanomedicine Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

Laboratory of Lymphatic Research, Diagnosis and Therapy (LLDT), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

Correspondence

Gresham T. Richter, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall St., S3109, Little Rock, AR 72207.Email: [email protected]

Ekaterina Galanzha, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Lymphatic Research, Diagnosis, and Therapy (LLDT), 904 Stephens Spine Center, Mail Slot # 543, 4104 Outpatient Circle, Little Rock, AR 72205. Email: [email protected]

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Gresham T. Richter

Corresponding Author

Gresham T. Richter

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas

Correspondence

Gresham T. Richter, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall St., S3109, Little Rock, AR 72207.Email: [email protected]

Ekaterina Galanzha, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Lymphatic Research, Diagnosis, and Therapy (LLDT), 904 Stephens Spine Center, Mail Slot # 543, 4104 Outpatient Circle, Little Rock, AR 72205. Email: [email protected]

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First published: 29 August 2017
Citations: 36
Funding information National Institutes of Health, Grant/Award numbers: R21EB022698, R01EB017217, R01CA131164; National Science Foundation, Grant/Award numbers: DBI 1556068, OIA 1457888; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Translational Research Institute grant; Presidential grant of the Russian Federation, Grant/Award number: NSh-7898.2016.2; Governmental grants of the Russian Federation, Grant/Award number: 14.Z50.31.0004 and 074 - U01; grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Grant/Award number: 17.1223.2017/AP; Liam's Land; Arkansas Biological Institute

Abstract

Lymphatic malformations are complex congenital vascular lesions composed of dilated, abnormal lymphatic channels of varying size that can result in significant esthetic and physical impairment due to relentless growth. Lymphatic malformations comprised of micro-lymphatic channels (microcystic) integrate and infiltrate normal soft tissue, leading to a locally invasive mass. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging assist in the diagnosis but are unable to detect microvasculature present in microcystic lymphatic malformations. In this review, we examine existing tools and elaborate on alternative diagnostic methods in assessing lymphatic malformations. In particular, photoacoustics, low-toxicity nanoparticles and optical clearing can overcome existing challenges in the examination of lymphatic channels in vivo. In combination with photothermal scanning and flow cytometry, Photoacoustic techniques may provide a versatile tool for lymphatic-related clinical applications, potentially leading to a single diagnostic and therapeutic platform to overcome limitations in current imaging techniques and permit targeted theranostics of microcystic lymphatic malformations.

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