Lymphatic Malformations in Children with Cardiac Conditions
NewYork-Presbyterian provides advanced care to pediatric patients with cardiac conditions involving lymphatic malformations, a form of vascular anomaly that affects the lymph vessels. At NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the Vascular Anomalies Group, a multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists, offers the latest diagnostic and interventional procedures for children of all ages with vascular anomalies such as lymphatic malformations. We are committed to providing children the safest, most advanced techniques available to reduce the risks of these debilitating conditions and allow them to live functional lives.
About Our Program
Lymphatic malformations are abnormally formed lymphatic vessels that can occur anywhere on the body. For pediatric patients with cardiac conditions, early diagnosis of lymphatic malformation leads to effective treatment, which can dramatically improve the quality of life of children with this disorder.
NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital’s The Vascular Anomalies Group is one of the top programs in the nation for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric vascular anomalies. Within the Vascular Anomalies Group, a multidisciplinary team of pediatric surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other surgical subspecialties, provides direct, individualized care to patients with lymphatic malformations.
Diagnosis
Prenatal Diagnosis
A diagnosis of lymphatic malformation can often be made before birth (prenatally), using fetal MRI or ultrasound. These methods provide physicians with detailed information about the lymphatic malformation and its effect on the unborn child, particularly on vital structures that may affect the lungs, airway or nearby organs.
At NewYork-Presbyterian, when a lymphatic disorder in your baby is suspected during pregnancy, we bring together a team of high-risk obstetricians, neonatologists, interventional cardiologists, fetal cardiology specialists, pediatric congenital heart surgeons, and other cardiac specialists to develop a plan of care for you and your baby. Working jointly with our colleagues in maternal-fetal medicine, we precisely diagnose the malformation and develop a plan with you for the remainder of your pregnancy and delivery. For some patients, this may involve close surveillance, medical therapy, surgery, or catheter-based intervention during pregnancy.
After Baby is Born
After baby is born, a diagnosis of lymphatic malformation is based upon a physical examination along with a detailed patient history. The NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital Vascular Anomalies Group performs a wide range of diagnostic techniques to evaluate the extent of a lymphatic malformation and to help plan treatment. These diagnostic approaches may include:
- Imaging technique including MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance and percutaneous lymphangiography to visualize and map the lymphatic vessels
- Genetic testing of malformation tissue for PIK3CA or other gene variants to direct treatment planning
Treatment
The goals of treatment is to reduce the risk of lymphatic malformations to our patients and allow them to live functional lives. To select the best treatment for your child, the Vascular Anomalies Group will study the type and location of the lymphatic malformation, and consider your child's age, health, and other medical problems. Our physicians will help you decide on a treatment plan that has the fewest side effects and risks, and offers the best results. Treatments may include:
- Sclerotherapy: a procedure in which a solution, or sclerosing agent, is injected directly into the lymphatic malformation. This solution causes scarring within the lymphatic malformation, which eventually causes it to shrink or collapse.
- Embolization: performed by an interventional radiologist, embolization is used to treat lymphatic malformations without invasive surgery.
- Interventional procedures
- Surgery
Our Approach to Care
Individualized, Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Effective treatment for lymphatic malformations in pediatric patients with cardiac conditions requires collaboration among multiple pediatric specialists. At NewYork-Presbyterian, specialists from pediatric cardiology, pediatric surgery, interventional radiology, and genetics work together as a team to provide comprehensive care to patients. Our physicians have extensive experience diagnosing and designing personal treatment plans for patients with simple and complex lymphatic malformations.
Why Choose Us
Top Program for Pediatric Vascular Anomalies
The Vascular Anomalies Group at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital provides multidisciplinary expertise in treating vascular anomalies such as lymphatic malformations in infants, children, and adolescents. NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley is a top referral site for newborns with complex vascular anomalies.
Actively Involved in the Latest Research
Our physician-researchers are actively engaged in clinical research in vascular anomalies and lymphatic malformations, including clinical trials involving multiple medical centers. This allows many of our patients to try new therapies and methods. Our faculty are also involved in basic research that may lead to the development of new therapies.
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NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
Vascular Anomalies Group