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Clinical Efficacy of Herbal Medicine for Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Hashizume Naoki,
Yagi Minoru,
Egami Hideaki,
Asagiri Kimio,
Fukahori Suguru,
Ishii Shinji,
Saikusa Nobuyuki,
Yoshida Motomu,
Masui Daisuke,
Tanaka Yoshiaki
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/pde.12777
Subject(s) - medicine , adverse effect , magnetic resonance imaging , head and neck , lymphatic system , congenital malformations , surgery , radiology , pathology , pregnancy , genetics , biology
Background Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system that commonly affect the head and neck region and cause marked cosmetic and functional complications. In this pilot study, we present eight children with LMs treated using an herbal medicine for this indication. Methods Between January 2009 and May 2014, eight children (four boys, four girls) with LMs were treated using oral administration of an herbal medicine, Eppikajyutsuto (TJ‐28; Tsumura, Tokyo, Japan), as monotherapy. Results Four of the cases were macrocystic and four were mixed micro‐ and macrocystic. The mean treatment duration was 7.2 ± 2.9 months (range 5–12 mos). The mean LM volume shrinkage on magnetic resonance imaging was 54.5 ± 38.3% (macrocystic 73.6 ± 27.0%; mixed micro‐ and macrocystic 35.4 ± 41.5%). One of four macrocystic lesions had a marked reduction, two had a moderate reduction, and one had no response. A marked reduction was observed in three of the four mixed micro‐ and macrocystic cases; the other mixed cystic case had no response. The treatment was well tolerated, without severe adverse events. Conclusions This preliminary study demonstrates the beneficial effects of TJ‐28. Further evaluations of this therapeutic modality are warranted.