Clinical and Demographic Determinants of Treatment Patterns in Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations

Sunday, October 12, 2025

3:06 PM - 3:12 PM EDT

Location: 233-234

Disclosure(s):

JB Eyring, MS3:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Wesley P. Allen, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are congenital vascular anomalies with varying clinical presentations and treatment approaches. This study examined the factors influencing the treatment of LMs in pediatric patients, focusing on sclerotherapy, surgery, and medical therapy.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study within a tertiary care hospital analyzed 155 pediatric patients with LMs treated by an otolaryngologist from January 2010 to August 2024. Treatment patterns, including medical therapy, sclerotherapy, and surgery, were examined. Patient demographics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were evaluated, and multivariate logistic regression assessed associations between variables and outcomes.

Results: The study cohort comprised 155 pediatric patients, with 44.5% female and 55.5% male, and 74.1% identifying as non-Hispanic white. Sclerotherapy was performed in 50.3% of patients (mean age: 6.9 years), and 36.1% underwent surgery (mean age: 6.2 years). Among sclerotherapy patients, male patients (44.3%) were significantly less likely than female patients (65.0%) to require multiple treatments when controlling for race/ethnicity and age (OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.21–2.1, p<.01). Younger age at sclerotherapy initiation was associated with a higher likelihood of multiple treatments (mean age: 6.0 years vs. 8.7 years, p<.05). Race/ethnicity showed no significant relationship with the number of sclerotherapy treatments required or with progression to surgery (p>0.5). 18 total patients received medical therapy (e.g., rapamycin), with no significant associations with sex, race/ethnicity, or age at initiation.

Conclusions: Among patients undergoing sclerotherapy for the first time, female patients and those starting treatment at a younger age were more likely to receive subsequent sclerotherapy treatments. Treatment patterns did not differ significantly by race/ethnicity. Further research is needed to understand the clinical and biological factors contributing to these patterns.

Presenting Author(s)

Brandon M. Hemeyer, BS

Medical Student
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

JB Eyring, MS3

Medical Student
University of Utah School of Medicine
North Salt Lake, Utah, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
WA

Wesley P. Allen, BS

Medical Student
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
BC

Brock Coleman, Medical Student

University of Utah School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
NB

Nate Behrens, Medical Student

University of Utah, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
AW

Audrey Wade, Medical Student

University of Utah School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Reema K. Padia, MD

Associate Professor
Primary Children's Hospital University of Utah Health
Cottonwood Heights, UT, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

JM

Jeremy D. Meier, MD

Professor
University of Utah Health - Primary Children's Hospital
Holladay, UT, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.