Venous malformations are abnormally developed blood vessels with varying degrees of communication with normal veins. They are sometimes described as abnormal ‘vascular lakes or low flow lesions. They contain venous blood, which is very slow moving.
Supporting these vascular lakes is a solid component known asa matrix. The ratio of spaces and matrix within a vascular malformation varies considerably from patient to patient. It can differ to some extent within different malformations within the same person.
Venous malformations can occur anywhere in the body and are present at birth, although they may not become apparent until later in life. Other situations when they may be come apparent are following episodes of local trauma (injury), at puberty, or during pregnancy — due to hormonal changes occurring at these times.
Depending on their location venous malformations may cause pain, swelling, restriction of movement or cosmetic issues. Occasionally the blood moves so slowly that the blood can clot within the malformation. Occasionally venous malformations can bleed especially if they are in a very superficial (near to the skin) position. Treatment may be necessary because of the appearance or for associated functional problems.
Typically the main symptoms include pain and swelling.
Typically the main symptoms include pain and swelling. giving a bluish discolouration and swelling. This can lead to cosmetic issues, depending on the site of the lesion.
Intermittently the venous malformation can become more acutely painful, swollen and hard. This is mainly due to acutely painful, swollen and hard. This is mainly due to These blood clots typically do not move to the lungs.
Sclerotherapy treatment involves the injection of a special chemical into the venous malformation to ultimately shrink it and relieve the symptoms it is causing. It is typically carried out as a day case procedure in hospital.
Various substances can be used but most commonly the chemical used is Sodium Tetradecyl sulphate (Fibrovein). When injected into a lesion it causes an inflammatory reaction which leads to localised blood clots and the formation of a scar in place of the venous malformation, causing the malformation to shrink.
Sclerotherapy is carried out under ultrasound and X-ray control. This allows the doctor needs to make sure that the needle goes into exactly the right place and to assess the degree of communication with veins nearby.
Often a ‘course’ of multiple injections are required to adequately treat a venous malformation and it can be some time before you notice a significant difference. Not all venous malformations are successfully treated in this way but in the vast majority of cases significant results are achieved.
Sclerotherapy is not a ‘cure’ for these malformations but is aimed at controlling symptoms and reducing the size. Sclerotherapy may not treat skin discolouration associated with some: malformations.
Treatment options are:
or a combination of these. If there are no symptoms then there is no need for treatment.
At first it important to determine the exact symptoms and to what degree this is distressing you or how much of an impact this is having on your life. The majority of venous malformations do not need treatment, but this can be reviewed at any time, especially if symptoms worsen or change. Venous malformations are not malignant and cannot become malignant (cancerous).
At first it important to determine the exact symptoms and to what degree this is distressing you or how much of an impact this is having on your life. The majority of venous malformations do not need treatment, but this can be reviewed at any time, especially if symptoms worsen or change. Venous malformations are not malignant and cannot become malignant (cancerous).
Treatment depends on the number of vascular spaces within the lesion and the amount of more solid tissue. Lesions with more spaces (i.e. more venous lakes) are more suitable for injection therapy or ‘sclerotherapy’ than those that are mostly solid in nature. Depending on the site, size and other factors certain lesions are suitable for surgical removal.
We wil discuss treatment options with you.
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