Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective:This retrospective study evaluated the results of sclerotherapy with low doses of ethanol for treatment of head and neck venous malformations.Methods:We treated 51 patients, 37 females. Median age was 23 years. Patients were treated with percutaneous intralesional injection of alcohol every two weeks and followed up prospectively for a median period of 18 months. Most lesions affected the face and cosmetic disfigurement was the most frequent complaint.Results:We performed a median of 7 sessions of sclerotherapy. Complete resolution or improvement was observed in 48 patients presented. Five cases of small skin ulceration, two cases of hyperpigmentation and two of paresthesia were documented; all of them were treated conservatively.Conclusion:Percutaneous sclerotherapy with low doses of ethanol is a safe and effective treatment modality for venous malformations affecting the head and neck.
Highlights
Venous malformations (VM) account for two thirds of all vascular malformations and consist of spongy clusters of veins of varying size, venules and venular capillaries.[1]
Percutaneous intralesional injection of liquid sclerosing agents is the therapeutic method of choice for VMs and is usually performed under general anesthesia.[5,13] Pure alcohol is the most powerful and effective sclerosing agent available;(14,15) local and systemic complications may occur when high doses are used.[16,17,18]
Fifty-one patients, 37 (72.6%) female, aged between 6 and 80 years were studied. They were treated with percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy under local anesthesia on outpatient basis between July 1995 and June 2007 and retrospectively analyzed
Summary
Venous malformations (VM) account for two thirds of all vascular malformations and consist of spongy clusters of veins of varying size, venules and venular capillaries.[1]. The diagnosis is based on clinical history and physical examination findings.[3] Unlike hemangiomas, that tend to grow rapidly and stabilize or involute spontaneously, spontaneous involution of VMs has not been reported.[4]. Ultrasonography is a simple non-invasive method employed to differentiate high flow from low flow lesions or to guide percutaneous injections during sclerotherapy procedures.[11,12]. Percutaneous intralesional injection of liquid sclerosing agents is the therapeutic method of choice for VMs and is usually performed under general anesthesia.[5,13] Pure alcohol is the most powerful and effective sclerosing agent available;(14,15) local and systemic complications may occur when high doses are used.[16,17,18]. Good clinical results have been reported following outpatient treatment of limb VM with multiple injections of low doses of ethanol.[17,18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
