Percutaneous Cryoablation for Treatment of Biopsy-proven Fibroadipose Vascular Anomaly

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with fibroadipose vascular anomaly (FAVA) treated via percutaneous cryoablation. Design: A 14-month retrospective study identified patients (<21 years old) with biopsy-proven diagnoses of FAVA. Appropriate evaluation in the vascular anomalies clinic preceded imaging, biopsy, and ablation therapy. Studied parameters included postablation MRI findings, pain, motor function, and complications of ablation therapy. Setting: A single, tertiary care pediatric hospital. Patients: Nine patients (median 12 years, range 8–16 years; 8 females, 1 male) met inclusion criteria. Interventions: Percutaneous cryoablation. Primary Outcome Measurement: Clinical success of cryoablation, defined as improvement of patient symptoms, including pain, functional restriction, and swelling. Results: Percutaneous biopsy demonstrated histological consistency with FAVA for all lesions. All patients underwent technically successful cryoablation therapy. One patient required repeat ablation. Symptoms resolved in 5 patients and improved in 4 patients. There were 5 minor complications and no major complications. Conclusions: These findings further validate previously published cohorts and demonstrate that percutaneous cryoablation is a potentially efficacious treatment option for FAVA with a favorable safety profile.