Reactive vascular lesions treated using ethanolamine oleate sclerotherapy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ethanolamine oleate (EO) is used infrequently in dermatology, but is used to treat vascular lesions such as esophageal varices, varicose veins, and congenital vascular malformations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EO for treating reactive vascular lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with reactive vascular lesions, such as pyogenic granulomas or venous lakes, were enrolled. EO was used as a sclerosing agent in a 11 dilution with normal saline. According to the response, treatment was repeated with EO with less or no dilution. The treatment response was scored as complete remission (CR), moderate improvement (MI), or no change according to the clinical results; any side effects were recorded. RESULTS: The efficacy of EO was evaluated in 21 patients (16 pyogenic granulomas and 5 venous lakes). The diameters of the lesions ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 cm. The mean number of EO injections was 1.6 (range 1-4). A CR was achieved in 95% of the reactive vascular lesions (20 CR, 1 MI). Two episodes of transient pain occurred. CONCLUSION: EO is an excellent sclerosing agent for treating reactive vascular lesions, and it may be an alternative therapy for vascular lesions in dermatology.