Benign oral vascular lesions treated by sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate: A retrospective study of 43 patients.

D Fernandes,A Santos-Silva,M Lopes,P Vargas,RA Elias

doi:10.4317/medoral.22253

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough sclerotherapy is a common treatment for benign oral vascular lesions, there is no well-standardized protocol for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients treated by sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate (EO), in order to contribute to a better understanding of this technique.Material and MethodsMedical records and images of 90 patients treated by the same sclerotherapy protocol were retrieved and analysed. Thus, 43 cases with complete information were selected and described.ResultsThe most affected age group was 41–70 years, with a female predominance and 86% of patients being Caucasian. Lips were the most affect site (70%) followed by the tongue (16%). Regarding clinical appearance, approximately 90% of lesions were classified as nodules, and 90% of patients reported no pain. Approximately 40% of lesions were 0.5–1.0 cm in size. In 58% of the patients, only one application of ethanolamine oleate was necessary. The application doses varied according to the lesion size and number of applications. Complete clinical regression occurred in 91% of cases, whereas 9% showed partial regression.ConclusionsSclerotherapy with EO is an acceptable, effective and affordable treatment for benign oral vascular lesions. Key words:Hemangioma, vascular malformations, varicose veins, sclerotherapy.

Highlights

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations are benign lesions of blood vessels relatively common in the head and neck region
The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with oral vascular lesions treated by sclerotherapy in a single institution, in order to contribute to a better understanding of this technique that still has no well-established protocol in the scientific literature
A total of 90 patients treated by sclerotherapy using ethanolamine oleate (EO) were retrospectively identified

Summary

Introduction

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations are benign lesions of blood vessels relatively common in the head and neck region. The colour ranges from red to purple, according to the location and depth of tissue invasion, as well as the degree of vascular congestion of the affected area [4] It can present as a flat or raised lesion with a smooth or nodular surface, defined edges, sessile or pedunculated and a soft consistency on palpation. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with oral vascular lesions treated by sclerotherapy in a single institution, in order to contribute to a better understanding of this technique that still has no well-established protocol in the scientific literature. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients treated by sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate (EO), in order to contribute to a better understanding of this technique. Conclusions: Sclerotherapy with EO is an acceptable, effective and affordable treatment for benign oral vascular lesions

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