Hyun Jung Koo MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jeong Hyun Lee MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ragyoung Yoon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

So Hyun Cho MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Young Jun Choi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jung Hwan Baek, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seung-Ho Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Soon Yuhl Nam, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sang Yoon Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dae Chul Suh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluated the efficacy and safety of ethanol and/or radiofrequency ablation of venolymphatic malformation (VLM) manifested as a bulging mass in the head and neck

From July 2009 to February 2013, thirteen patients (F : M = 7 : 4; a mean age of 26, ranging from 5 to 48 years) with VLM presented as a bulging mass in the head and neck were treated with ethanol ablation (EA) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Treatment response was assessed by the degree of volume reduction and cosmetic grading scores (1 – 4) which was recorded before and at the last follow-up. Volume reduction was compared with the characteristics of the target lesions including component (venous, macrocystic lymphantic, and microcystic lymphatic), the initial volume and the presence of any functional structure close to the treated lesions. Complication after EA and/or RFA was also evaluated. 

Five patients with macrocystic lymphatic malformation (MLM) were treated with EA, 4 with venous malformation (VM) with RFA, and 4 with microcystic lymphatic malformation (mLM) with RFA (n=2) or both EA and RFA (n=2). Median number of total treatment sessions was 1 ranging from 1 – 4. Volume reduction at the last follow-up was near complete (> 90%) in all five patients with MLM, three of four with VM, and one of four with mLM. Moderate response (> 50% and ≤90%) was seen in VM (n=1) or mLM close to the mandibular branch of the facial nerve (n=3) showed moderate response. The mean cosmetic grading score was decreased from 3.8 ± 0.4 to 1.5 ± 0.8 (p < 0.05). The initial volume was not significantly correlated with number of treatment session or treatment response. No major complications were encountered.

EA and/or RFA is an effective and safe treatment method for VLM presented as a bulging mass in the head and neck, which showed > 90 % of volume reduction in 9 of 13 patients and significant cosmetic improvement in all patients regardless of the internal component, the initial volume or the presence of any functional structures close to the treated lesions.

EA and/or RFA can be one of treatment methods to manage VLM in the head and neck, with providing excellent cosmetic outcome. 

Koo, H, Lee, J, Yoon, R, Cho, S, Choi, Y, Baek, J, Choi, S, Nam, S, Kim, S, Suh, D, Ethanol and/or Radiofrequency Ablation: Efficacy and Safety for Treatment of Venolymphatic Malformation Manifested as a Bulging Mass in the Head and Neck.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13018301.html