Preliminary Experience With More Stable Polidocanol Foam in Sclerotherapy of Head and Neck Venous Malformations

BACKGROUND: Foam sclerotherapy is an effective treatment strategy for venous malformations (VMs). Stability is one of the characteristics of sclerosant foams that determine the sclerosing power. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of sclerotherapy with prolonged half-life of hyaluronic acid (HA)-polidocanol (POL) foam for treating head and neck VMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients with head and neck VMs were enrolled between October 2013 and January 2015 in Qilu Hospital Shandong University. Sclerotherapy was performed with prolonged half-life POL foam by addition of 0.05% HA. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months. Reviews on the site and size of the lesion, times and duration of treatments, therapeutic response, and complications were performed to evaluate the end result. RESULTS: Sites of lesions included face, bucca, parotid region, neck, tongue, floor of mouth, lip, forehead, palate, and nose. An overall average of 2.5 treatments was required. Total response rate was 100%. "Resolution" was achieved in 21 cases (30%) and a significant response in 49 patients (70%). Immediate swelling was the most common complication. Epidermal extravasation was seen in 1 patient. Mucosal ulcer was observed in 1 patient. No generalized complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The prolonged half-life of HA-POL foam sclerotherapy of VMs in the head and neck is safe and effective.