Interdisciplinary approach to treatment of vascular anomalies

Differential diagnostic features between congenital haemangioma, KHE, and congenital fibrosarcoma: a single-centre experience

Congenital haemangioma (CH) is a rare benign vascular tumour presenting at birth with excellent prognosis. Usually, CH regresses without treatment within the first few months of life. Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma (KHE) is another type of vascular tumours that has been described as benign with locally aggressive potential. Although the diagnosis of vascular tumours is usually straightforward based on typical clinical presentation, yet some confusing similarities may exist with congenital sarcomas.Conclusion: Data of cases managed at the vascular anomaly clinic during the period 2015 through 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The study included three groups of patients: cases diagnosed as congenital haemangioma (9 cases), cases of Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma who presented in the neonatal period (7 cases), as well as cases of congenital fibrosarcoma (4 cases) that were referred to the vascular anomaly clinic because of apparent similarity with vascular tumours. The hallmark of the study was to compare clinical and imaging features in the three groups to facilitate differentiation and remove diagnostic confusion when managing these rare cases in the future. What is Known: • Congenital haemangioma is a rare benign vascular tumour presenting at birth. • Kaposiform Haemangioendothelioma is another type of vascular tumours that has been described as benign with locally aggressive potential. What is New: • Confusing similarities may exist between vascular tumours and congenital sarcomas.

Infantile haemangioma: 5-year experience at the vascular anomaly clinic

Background

Infantile haemangiomas (IH) represent a common benign vascular tumour affecting the paediatric population. Infantile haemangiomas are characterised by a natural history differentiating it from other vascular anomalies. After a transient proliferative phase in early infancy, the tumour passes through a plateau phase before going into spontaneous involution. In this report, we tried to share our experience over the last 5 years in managing cases presenting with IH at a specialised vascular anomaly clinic.

Main body of abstract

This report included cases of IH who were attending the vascular anomaly clinic during the period 2015 through 2019. Data of all patients attending the clinic were retrospectively examined. Files of 103 cases with IH were available for review. The diagnosis of IH was usually straight forward owing to the typical history and characteristic findings at clinical examination. A significant female predominance was noticed. Generally, IH were more common in the head and neck region (70%). Active intervention was necessary in specific situations (eye occlusion, airway involvement, large lesions with skin ulcerations). Whenever intervention proved to be necessary, propranolol was chosen as the first line of treatment with a favourable response detected in about 90% of cases. Surgery was still a valid option (6%) for lesions amenable to resection; however, we must put in consideration that most lesions will spontaneously regress.

Conclusion

Infantile haemangiomas are common benign vascular tumours of infancy with relatively few complications. Cosmesis is a major concern especially for lesions affecting the face. Propranolol can induce tumour regression in most cases, and generally, a favourable outcome can be anticipated.

Sclerotherapy of Diffuse and Infiltrative Venous Malformations of the Hand and Distal Forearm

PURPOSE

Venous malformations (VM) involving the hand and forearm often lead to chronic pain and dysfunction, and the threshold for treatment is high due to the risk of nerve and skin damage, functional deterioration and compartment syndrome. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that sclerotherapy of diffuse and infiltrative VM of the hand is a safe and effective therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients with diffuse and infiltrative VM of the hand and forearm treated with sclerotherapy from 2001 to 2014 was conducted. All VM were diagnosed during the clinical visit by a combination of physical examination and imaging. Sclerotherapy was performed under imaging guidance using ethanol and/or sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam. Clinical notes were reviewed for signs of treatment response and complications, including skin blistering and nerve injury.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients underwent a total of 40 sclerotherapy procedures. Patients were treated for pain (76%), swelling (29%) or paresthesias (6%). Treatments utilized ethanol (70%), sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam (22.5%) or a combination of these (7.5%). Twenty-four percent of patients had complete resolution of symptoms, 24% had partial relief of symptoms without need for further intervention, and 35% had some improvement after initial treatment but required additional treatments. Two skin complications were noted, both of which resolved. No motor or sensory loss was reported.

CONCLUSION

Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective therapy for VM of the hand with over 83% of patients experiencing relief.

Transarterial embolization of a hepatic arteriovenous malformation in an infant using Onyx: a case report and review of the differential diagnosis imaging findings

Hepatic arteriovenous malformations are rare congenital lesions associated with significant morbidity and mortality, most commonly from high output cardiac failure. Efficient diagnosis and treatment demands an interdisciplinary approach, and the interventional radiologist plays a pivotal role in both. Imaging is important for diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning, and transcatheter embolization has become an established primary therapy. We report the clinical and imaging findings of a rare hepatic arteriovenous malformation in an infant presenting with high-output cardiac failure and pulmonary artery hypertension that was successfully treated by transarterial embolization using Onyx.

Medical therapy for pediatric vascular anomalies

Vascular anomalies (VAs) comprise a large variety of individual diagnoses that in different phases of treatment require a diverse number of medical specialists to provide optimal care. Medical therapies include agents usually associated with cancer chemotherapy, such as vincristine, as well more immunomodulatory types of drugs, such as glucocorticoids and sirolimus. These immunomodulating drugs are being successfully applied in cases that are typically categorized as vascular tumors, including kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) and tufted angioma (TA), as well as some of the more invasive types of vascular malformations (i.e., microcystic lymphatic malformations and blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS). These therapies need to be combined with good supportive care, which often involves anticoagulation, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and comprehensive pain and symptom-relief strategies, as well as appropriate drug monitoring and management of side effects of medical treatment. The optimal care of these patients frequently involves close collaboration between surgeons, interventional and conventional radiologists, medical subspecialists, and nurses.