Effects of Artery Intervention Embolic Agents in Children With Head and Neck Hemangioma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the artery intervention embolic agent effects on pediatric patients with head and neck hemangioma, and their implications in interventional treatment. Methods 56 pediatric patients with head and neck hemangioma who accepted interventional treatment were admitted to the Sichuan Cancer Hospital from June 2003 to August 2006, including 35 boys and 21 girls (aged from 2 months to 16 years old). There were 41 pediatric patients with head and face hemangioma, and 15 pediatric patients with neck and shoulder hemangioma. Selective and superselective artery intubation were adopted. Different types of embolic materials were used according to artery types identified with the artery angiography. Embolism material combinations were ① steel wire collar; ② steel wire collar + gelatin sponge particles + hardener; ③ gelatin sponge particles + gelatin sponge strips + hardener; and ④ gelatin sponge strips + hardener. Such materials were used for embolism treatment of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), vascular net malformation, and access artery. A follow-up of 1~5 years was conducted after the interventional embolism therapy. Results 47 pediatric patients (84%, 47/56) were cured by embolism therapy in a follow-up of 1~5 years, with stable therapeutic effects. Interventional embolism therapy was effective in the other 9 pediatric patients (16%, 9/56) in a follow-up of 2 years or more. Conclusion According to the interventional artery angiography in children patients with head and neck hemangioma, the interventional embolism therapy with the following combinations provided the satisfactory effects: ① steel wire collar + gelatin sponge particles + hardener; ② gelatin sponge particles + gelatin sponge strips + hardener; ③ gelatin sponge strips + hardener. Key words: child; head and neck hemangioma; embolic agents; angiography; digital subtraction