Efficacy and Safety of OK-432 Sclerotherapy for Giant Cystic Hygroma in a Newborn

<i>Background:</i> OK-432, a lyophilised incubation mixture of group A <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> of human origin, was used as a sclerosant for the involution of a giant cervical cystic hygroma in a newborn. <i>Results:</i> There were no systemic side effects. Blood tests and double immune diffusion tests showed no systemic infection or generalised inflammatory response, or antibody production. Cellular and cytokine-induced localised inflammatory reaction within the cystic hygroma, was observed on analysis of the intracystic fluid. <i>Conclusions:</i> The leucocytosis induced and activated by OK-432 probably increases the endothelial permeability of the lymphatics. This probably accelerated lymph drainage leading to involution of the cystic hygroma. Intralesional injection of OK-432 was safe and effective therapy for cystic hygroma in this newborn as its inflammatory reaction was localised.