SYMPTOMATIC HEMANGIOMAS AND VENOUS MALFORMATIONS IN INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND YOUNG-ADULTS - TREATMENT WITH PERCUTANEOUS INJECTION OF SODIUM TETRADECYL SULFATE

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous sclerosis therapy using sodium tetradecyl sulfa te for treatment of symptomatic hemangiomas and venous malformations i n infants, children, and young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS, Fifty-tw o sclerosis procedures were performed in 21 patients who were 13 month s to 24 years old. Six of these patients had hemangiomas, and the rema ining 15 patients had venous malformations, Sodium tetradecyl sulfate was injected solely percutaneously in 49 procedures, by both percutane ous and arterial routes in two procedures, and intraarterially only in one procedure. Thirteen patients had sclerosis therapy alone, and eig ht patients had sclerosis therapy followed by surgery within 48 hr. RE SULTS, Sclerosis therapy alone or sclerosis therapy followed by surger y was judged beneficial in 18 (86%) of 21 patients, including five of the six patients who had hemangiomas and 13 of the 15 patients who had venous malformations. Two patients had an equivocal response to the t herapy, and one patient had no apparent benefit. Three of the 21 patie nts had minor complications (skin ulcers) but no long-term sequelae. C ONCLUSION. Percutaneous injection of sodium tetradecyl sulfate, either alone or before surgery, is a safe and effective method of managing s ymptomatic hemangiomas and venous malformations.