Treatment of venous malformations with ethanolamine oleate.

Objective: To describe the outcome and complications following ethanolamine oleate treatment of venous malformations.

Methods: Seventy-two patients (27 male, 45 female; age range, 3 months to 16 years) with 76 lesions were treated with ethanolamine oleate at 0.50-16 mL per session, with a maximum dose of 0.40 mL/kg. All patients were evaluated 8 weeks after the final injection and were followed-up for about 1 year. All the patients were treated on a day-case basis except for one who required general anaesthesia.

Results: Seventy-six lesions underwent 149 sclerotherapy sessions, with 41 requiring one session, 21 requiring two and 14 requiring more than two. Ethanolamine oleate significantly improved five lesions and completely resolved symptoms in 71. All patients experienced pain and swelling to a variable degree for a short time. Skin sloughing took place in three patients. No other complications were observed.

Conclusion: Treatment of venous malformations with ethanolamine oleate is safe and effective.