Comparison of bleomycin polidocanol foam vs electrochemotherapy combined with polidocanol foam for treatment of venous malformations.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the difference in safety and efficacy between two treatments for venous malformations (VMs), electrochemotherapy combined with polidocanol foam (ECP) and bleomycin polidocanol foam (BPF), providing alternative therapies for VMs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 152 patients with VMs treated with ECP and BPF. Pre- and post-treatment magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were collected, and clinical follow-up assessments were performed. Imaging results were used to calculate lesion volume changes. Clinical outcomes included changes in pain and improvements in perceived swelling. Patients were followed up at 1 week and 6 months after surgery. All emerging complications were documented in detail. RESULTS: Of the 152 patients, 87 (57.2%) received BPF treatment, and 65 (42.8%) received ECP treatment. The most common location of VMs was the lower extremities (92/152; 60.2%), and the most common symptom was pain (108/152; 71.1%). Forty-three patients had previously undergone therapy in the BPF group (43/87; 49.4%), whereas 30 patients had received prior treatment in the ECP group (30/65; 46.2%). The study found that the percentage of lesion volume reduction in the BPF group was not significantly different from that in the ECP group (75.00% ± 17.85% vs 74.69% ± 8.48%; P = .899). ECP was more effective when the initial lesion volume was greater than 30 mL (67.66% ± 12.34% vs 73.47% ± 8.00%; P = .048). Patients treated with BPF had significantly less posttreatment pain than those treated with ECP, in different baseline lesion size. In the overall sample, pain relief was significantly higher in the BPF group than in the ECP group (4.21 ± 1.19 vs 3.57 ± 0.76; P = .002). However, there was no difference in pain relief between the two groups for the treatment of initially large VMs (4.20 ± 0.94 vs 3.70 ± 0.87; P = .113). The ECP group was significantly more likely to develop hyperpigmentation (5/87; 5.75% vs 11/65; 16.92%; P = .026) and swelling (9/87; 10.34% vs 16/65; 24.62%; P = .019) 1 week after surgery than the BPF group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that both BPF and ECP are effective treatments for VMs, with BPF being a safer option. ECP is a better choice for patients with the initial lesion volume greater than 30 mL, but it is more likely to lead to early swelling and hyperpigmentation.

Early follow-up quality of life and mental health of patients with congenital vascular malformations cared for in a multi-disciplinary specialist centre.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the early follow-up quality of life (QoL), pain and mental health of patients with congenital vascular malformation (CVM) from a variety of treatment options. METHODS: All patients with CVM who received care and had follow-up between February 1st 2018 and January 31st 2020 were included. The health-related QoL, pain, and mental health were assessed with RAND Health Care 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), visual analogue score for pain (VAS-P) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Paired t-test was used for all analyses. p < .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 110 patients with a mean age of 36.9 years were included in this study. In all patients following care, significant improvement was found in the bodily pain domain of SF-36 and VAS-P (both p = .01). This was largely driven by high-flow vascular malformation patients who responded better to embolo-sclerotherapy, which revealed significant improvement in the bodily pain domain of SF-36 (p = .002) and VAS-P (p = .02). Patients who received supportive treatment only reported significant improvement in mental health (p = .004) and social functioning (p = .03) domains of SF-36. Meanwhile, patients treated with embolo-sclerotherapy reported significant improvement only in VAS-P (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that the effects of care on early follow-up QoL, pain and mental health of patients with CVM were heterogenous. Future research should therefore, include larger sample size and longer term follow-up to understand the various factors that affect the QoL and mental health of these patients, as well as the holistic approaches to manage them.

The Addition of Lipid-Based Contrast Medium does not Inactivate the Detergent Sclerosant Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate in-vitro.

PURPOSE: To investigate if the detergent sclerosant sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) is deactivated by the lipid-based contrast agent ethiodised oil. METHOD: 3% STS was mixed with ethiodised oil and room air in a 2:1:4 ratio in two luer lock syringes and a three way connector and agitated to make foam (the Tessari technique) to replicate the clinical use of the products. The assay of STS in the mixture was assessed using the British Pharmacopoeia method. Briefly this is a manual titration method where the solution of STS is mixed with an indicator solution and titrated with hyamine solution of known concentration; the concentration of the STS can then be calculated with the titration results. To further mimic the clinical environment with the presence of blood, the effect of adding increasing amounts of albumin to the STS-ethiodised oil mixture was assessed. RESULTS: The assay of STS in the solution after mixing with ethiodised oil was 3% indicating that the ethiodised oil did not deactivate the STS. The addition of albumin to the STS-contrast mixture resulted in near linear neutralisation of the STS with increasing concentrations in the same quantities as with STS alone. CONCLUSIONS: The mixture of the lipid-based contrast agent ethiodised oil with the detergent sclerosant STS did not affect the availability of the sclerosant. The continued use of STS-ethiodised oil in the management of vascular malformations can be supported.

Polydopamine coated multifunctional lanthanide theranostic agent for vascular malformation and tumor vessel imaging beyond 1500 nm and imaging-guided photothermal therapy.

The optical imaging guided tumor vessels and vascular malformation visualization by using the second near infrared emission beyond 1500 nm (NIR-II) is emerged as the next generation fluorescence imaging technique for early tumor diagnosis and identification of tumor-associated vascular features. On the other hand, developing theranostic probes for NIR-II imaging guided photothermal therapy (PTT) is of great significance, which is rarely explored. Herein, a high performance theranostic nanoplatform based on the core-shell structured NaLuF4 nanorods@polydopamine (denoted as NRs@PDA) by integrating the new advanced NIR-II imaging beyond 1500 nm with PTT function was developed for tumor-associated vascular malformation visualization and imaging-guided PTT. Methods: In this work, the hydrophilic NaLuF4 NRs@PDA therapeutic probe was synthesized by using a reverse microemulsion method. The crystal phase, morphology, emission spectra and photothermal performance of the synthesized samples were systematically characterized. The NIR-II optical imaging and photothermal properties were investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results: The NaLuF4 NRs@PDA therapeutic probe possessed efficient NIR-II emission centered at 1525 nm with high quantum yield (QY), good photo-stability and high biocompatibility. In vivo NIR-IIb imaging based on the designed probe can clearly visualize the whole-body vessel and brain vessel with high spatial resolution, especially tumor-associated vessels. In addition, in vitro and in vivo experiments also demonstrated that the designed NaLuF4 NRs@PDA probe possessed efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (40.18%) for PTT ablation of tumor. Conclusion: With the excellent NIR-II imaging ability and PTT of tumor, the designed theranostic nanoplatform successfully realize the simultaneous tumor vessel diagnosis and tumor therapy, which may provide the opportunity of designing new theranostic bioprobes with combination of the NIR-II optical imaging technique and PTT function for tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Bleomycin sclerotherapy for eyelid venous malformations as an alternative to surgery or laser therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with venous malformation (VM) involving the eyelid treated with bleomycin sclerotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 18 consecutive patients with VM involving the eyelid who underwent bleomycin sclerotherapy. Patients' clinical presentation, details of sclerotherapy, and post-sclerotherapy resolution of the lesion as well as any procedure-related complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Twelve women and six men of mean age 34.3±20.4 years underwent sclerotherapy with bleomycin. Chief complaints were cosmetic disfigurations with or without hemifacial deformity (n=2), pain in engorgement area (n=2), pain and swelling from venous thrombosis (n=2), swelling or engorgement obstructing their eyesight (n=2), or eyelid dysfunction (n=1). The lesions were only in the eyelid in three patients; otherwise they were extended out of the eyelid either superiorly (n=3), laterally (n=8), inferiorly (n=8), and/or posteriorly to the orbit (n=8) to various extents. Conjunctival involvement was present in 13 patients. 14 patients had received prior treatments including surgery, laser therapy, or non-bleomycin sclerotherapy. With an average three sessions of bleomycin sclerotherapy (average total dose 34.5 mg), more than 80% shrinkage was observed in seven patients (38.9%), 50-80% shrinkage in eight patients (44.4%), and 30-50% shrinkage in two patients (11.1%). One patient had recurrence, which was successfully treated again with bleomycin. No procedure-related complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bleomycin appears to be a simple, safe, and effective treatment for venous malformations involving the eyelid, avoiding more elaborate and challenging surgical or laser interventions, and is even effective in full thickness lesions.

[Effect of foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of oropharyngeal venous malformation].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol for the treatment of venous malformation in the oropharynx. Methods: The clinical data of 21 children with venous malformation in the oropharynx treated by foam sclerotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 1 month to 13 years, with a median age of 2.3 years. MRI was performed in all children, and the diagnosis was further confirmed by radiography. After general anesthesia, the oropharynx was exposed by opening device. Scalp acupuncture was used to pucture lesions and polidocanol foam was injected after the nidus was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA). The follow-up time ranged from 2-29 months, with a mean time of 15 months. The clinical symptoms, imaging data, therapeutic effects and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: Total numbers of treatment were 52 times, 1-6 times/case; 13 cases were cured, 7 cases was relieved and no response in one case. Postoperative swelling in 13 cases, fever in 3 cases, local mucosal ulcer in 2 cases, difficult extubation in 2 cases. No nerve injury, swallowing function damage and cardiopulmonary accidents were found in all patients. Conclusion: Foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol in the treatment of venous malformation in the oropharynx is a safe and effective method.

Venous Malformations of the Head and Neck.

Venous malformations (VMs) of the head and neck arise from deficits in the development of venous network. Clinically, VMs are highly variable, from small and asymptomatic varicosities to massive cervicofacial lesions. Therapeutic approaches include surgery; laser photocoagulation; sclerotherapy; and, more recently, systemic targeted drugs. This article discusses the natural history, diagnosis, and management of VMs.

State-of-the-art lasers and light treatments for vascular lesions: from red faces to vascular malformations.

Notable milestones in the treatment of vascular lesions have been achieved over the past century. Many cutaneous vascular lesions can be successfully treated with lightbased devices. In this review, we will discuss the treatment of port-wine birthmarks, lymphatic malformations, infantile hemangiomas, rosacea, venous lakes, pyogenic granulomas, cherry angiomas, and angiofibromas using lasers, total reflection amplification of spontaneous emission of radiation, intense pulsed light, and photodynamic therapy. In addition, for several of these diagnoses, we will review medical therapies that can be combined with light-based devices to provide enhanced results.

Electrochemical treatment: an effective way of dealing with extensive venous malformations of the oral and cervicofacial region.

We describe the results of electrochemical treatment of extensive venous malformations in the oral and cervicofacial region in 29 patients. Platinum needles were inserted into the lesions under general or local anaesthesia, the electrode pitch, voltage, current, and quantity of electricity being 1-1.5cm, 5-8V, 40-60mA, and 50-60C/cm(2), respectively. Six months after the treatment, 26 patients had been cured, and in the other three the lesions had decreased by more than 75%. Electrochemical treatment is therefore relatively safe, simple, and highly efficient for the treatment of extensive venous malformations, and leaves no scars.

Ethanol sclerotherapy of head and neck venous malformations.

OBJECTIVE: 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.

Ethanol sclerotherapy of head and neck venous malformations / Escleroterapia com etanol em malformações venosas da cabeça e pescoço

Objective 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. .

Objetivo Estudo retrospectivo que analisou os resultados da escleroterapia, com doses baixas de etanol, realizada sob anestesia local para tratamento de malformações venosas na cabeça e pescoço. Métodos Foram tratados 51 pacientes, sendo 37 do gênero feminino. A mediana de idade foi de 23 anos. Os pacientes foram tratados com injeções alcoólicas nas lesões, por via percutânea, em sessões quinzenais, e acompanhados prospectivamente por um período mediano de 18 meses. A maioria das lesões acometia a face e a queixa principal mais frequente foi deformidade estética. Resultados Foram realizadas, em média, sete sessões de escleroterapia. Resolução completa ou melhora foi observada em 48 pacientes. Cinco pacientes apresentaram pequena úlcera cutânea, dois hiperpigmentação e dois parestesia, sendo todos tratados conservadoramente. Conclusão A escleroterapia percutânea com doses baixas de etanol é um método seguro e eficaz para tratar malformações venosas na cabeça e pescoço. .

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) induced iritis following treatment for a medial canthal capillary malformation.

The popularity of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy continues to increase due to its relative safety, high skin coverage rate and ability to treat both vascular and pigmented lesions. An often-overlooked risk is the potential for IPL-induced ocular damage. The damage sustained can cause significant, persistent morbidity and can occur even with very limited IPL exposure to the eye.

Bipolar radiofrequency-induced interstitial thermoablation for oral cavity vascular malformations: Preliminary results in a series of 5 children.

We report our assessment of the effectiveness of bipolar radiofrequency-induced interstitial thermoablation (BRIT) for the treatment of certain oral cavity vascular malformations in 5 children. Two of these patients had lymphangiomatous macroglossia (LM), 1 had lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC), and 2 had a venous malformation (VM). Each patient underwent BRIT at least twice; treatment was delivered at 4- to 8-week intervals according to each patient's circumstances. The 2 patients with LM required three treatment sessions; although their tongue volume decreased after each session, both still required a partial glossectomy to achieve a satisfactory reduction in volume. The patient with LC underwent two BRIT treatments, which reduced the size of the lesion by half; the remainder was excised. The 2 patients with a VM (1 buccal and 1 lingual) responded well to BRIT, and their malformations almost completely disappeared. Our early results with BRIT suggest that it is an effective treatment for oral cavity vascular malformations-more so for patients with venous rather than lymphangiomatous lesions.

Effect of electrochemical treatment on high-flow vascular malformations in the maxillofacial region.

We explored the effect of electrochemical therapy for the treatment of high-flow venous malformations in the maxillofacial region in 32 patients. We used a method of anaesthesia that was suitable to the site and size of the lesion, and then inserted platinum needles into the lesion in a sterile environment. We protected the normal skin by inserting the cannulas into plastic sheaths, and connected the needles to an electrochemical machine. The common voltage, electric current, and amount of electricity were 6-8 V, 80-100 mA, and 10-20 C/cm(2), respectively. During a follow up period of two months to three years, 18 (56%) patients had a complete response, and 14 a partial response (44%). Electrochemical treatment is a simple, relatively atraumatic method of dealing with high-flow venous malformations that leaves no scars.

Malformaciones vasculares: manejo mediante técnicas de radiología intervencional y satisfacción de los pacientes / Vascular malformations: interventional radiology management and assesment of patient satisfaction

Background: Vascular anomalies are prevalent in the general population and may produce significant impairment in quality of life. In recent years, minimally invasive interventional radiology techniques have become an efficient alternative for the treatment of these patients. The aim of this study was to present our experience in the management of vascular malformations with such techniques at Clínica Alemana in Santiago, Chile, and assess the satisfaction of patients with this management. Material and Methods: Evaluation of the follow-up of patients with vascular malformations treated in the Interventional Radiology Unit at our center since June - 2006 to June - 2009. Patients were classified according to the hemodynamics of the lesions (high vs low-flow). Complications and patient satisfaction with the treatment were assessed. Results: Eighty-seven patients (253 procedures) were included in the study, 36 men and 51 women, all with complete follow-up during the period of the study. Their average age was 20.6 years. In over 50 percent of the patients the vascular anomaly was located on the face or the lower extremities. Twenty-eight percent (25 patients) had a high-flow malformation (pure or mixed) and 62 (72 percent) had a low-flow lesion (vascular malformation, lymphangioma or mixed). On average, each patient underwent 2.9 procedures (1-10). There were 4 major complications (1.65 percent), one of which was predominantly cosmetic with necrosis in the area of the lesion. The average satisfaction rate was 7.95 (on a rating scale of 1 to 10). Satisfaction was significantly higher in patients with low-flow malformations (8.27) than in those with high-flow lesions (7.16). (p < 0.05) Discussion: Treatment of vascular malformations using interventional radiology techniques is an effective alternative, with good prospects of clinical improvement, patient satisfaction and low complication rates.

Introducción: Las anomalías vasculares son una patología frecuente en la población general, y son causa de deterioro de la calidad de vida de los pacientes que las padecen. En los últimos años, las técnicas mínimamente invasivas de radiología intervencional se han convertido en una alternativa eficaz para el tratamiento de estos pacientes. El objetivo del presente estudio es mostrar nuestra experiencia en el manejo de malformaciones vasculares con estas técnicas en la Clínica Alemana de Santiago y evaluar la satisfacción de los pacientes con este manejo. Material y Métodos: Evaluación del seguimiento de todos los pacientes con malformaciones vasculares tratados en la Unidad de Radiología Intervencional desde el año 2006 hasta junio del año 2009. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en base a la hemodinamia de la malformación vascular (alto flujo vs. bajo flujo). Se evaluaron las complicaciones, y se realizó una encuesta sobre la satisfacción de los pacientes con el tratamiento. Resultados: Ochenta y siete pacientes (253 procedimientos) fueron incluidos en el estudio, 36 hombres y 51 mujeres, todos con seguimiento completo en este periodo. La edad promedio de ellos fue de 20,6 años. En más del 50 por ciento de los pacientes la anomalía vascular se ubicó en la cara o extremidades inferiores. Un 28 por ciento (25 pacientes) presentó malformación de alto flujo (pura o mixta) y 72 por ciento (62 pacientes) de bajo flujo (malformaciones vasculares, linfangiomas o mixtas). En promedio, cada paciente se realizó 2,9 procedimientos (1-10). Del total de procedimientos realizados, hubo 4 complicaciones mayores (1,65 por ciento), una de ellas con secuelas estéticas producto de necrosis de la zona. El promedio de satisfacción fue de un 7,95 en una escala de 1 a 10, siendo significativamente mayor en pacientes con malformaciones de bajo flujo (8,27) que en los de alto flujo (7,16) (p < 0.05)...

Outpatient percutaneous treatment of deep venous malformations using pure ethanol at low doses under local anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Venous malformations are the most frequent vascular malformation. Deep venous malformations are located in subcutaneous tissue or in the muscles. Percutaneous sclerotherapy is the treatment of choice, and the use of ethanol at low doses has not yet been described. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of treating Deep venous malformations patients with low doses of ethanol. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients treated between July 1995 and June 2007 were followed up prospectively over a median period of 18 months. Twenty-nine were female (74.4%) and 10 were male (25.6%), with ages ranging from 11 to 59 years (median of 24 years). All of the lesions affected limbs, and the main symptom reported was pain (97.4%). Each patient underwent fortnightly alcohol application sessions under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The lesions were classified into three groups according to size using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging: small, up to 3 cm (4 patients); medium, between 3 and 15 cm (27 patients); and large, greater than 15 cm (8 patients). RESULTS: The symptoms completely disappeared in 14 patients (35.9%) and improved in 24 (61.5%). The lesion size reduced to zero in 6 patients (15.4%) and decreased in 32 (82%). The median number of sessions was 7. There were no complications in 32 patients (82%), while 3 presented local paresthesia (7.7%), 2 superficial trombophlebites (5.1%), 1 skin ulcer (2.6%), and 1 case of hyperpigmentation (2.6%). CONCLUSION: Outpatient treatment for Deep venous malformations patients using ethanol at low doses was effective, with a low complication rate.