Ethanol sclerotherapy for treatment of venous malformations of face and neck— a single centre experience

Due to complicated anatomy of the face and neck, complete surgical excision of venous malformation is rarely possible and may lead to bleeding, nerve damage and cosmetic deformity. Sclerotherapy is an alternative method of treatment with few complications. Ethanol shows the lowest rate of malformation recurrence and is the most reliable substance of all of the sclerosing agents. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ethanol instillation in venous malformation of the face and neck. Between July 20, 2008, to December 30, 2009, 15 patients with venous malformation of the face and neck were included in the study. After confirmation of diagnosis (combination of history, physical findings and magnetic resonance imaging), percutaneous ethanol (99.5% ethyl alcohol) sclerotherapy was used under DSA road mapping using general anaesthesia. Sclerotherapy provided significant improvement of symptoms for all patients, with no major complications. All patients experienced pain and swelling to a variable degree in the immediate post procedure period that resolved over few days. Ethanol sclerotherapy for venous malformations of the face and neck is a safe and effective treatment option.