Orbital venous malformation: percutaneous treatment using an electrolytically detachable fibred coil

To report the efficacy of percutaneous treatment of an orbital venous malformation with an electrolytically detachable fibred coil.

We report an instance of radiography-guided percutaneous treatment with an electrolytically detachable fibred coil in a 16-year-old boy with acute, spontaneous, painless proptosis on the left side, which progressed with time.

Magnetic resonance imaging, angiography and orbitophlebography revealed a low-flow, intraorbital venous malformation. Percutaneous puncture and drainage were followed by a short remission. Following an acute recurrence, a single detachable fibred coil was deployed via a percutaneous approach under angiographic guidance. No radiological or clinical recurrences were observed over 4 years.

Embolization of a deep orbital venous malformation with detachable fibred coils via a percutaneous approach can be highly effective, and may be considered before proceeding with open surgery.