Endoscopic management of airway venous malformations with Nd:YAG laser

The neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser is a powerful tool in treating venous malformations (VMs) involving the upper airway. If left untreated, laryngeal VMs can lead to life-threatening airway obstruction. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic management of laryngeal VMs with the Nd:YAG laser.

We performed a 12-year retrospective review in a tertiary referral center. Patient records were reviewed for demographics, presenting symptoms, area of involvement, age at first Nd:YAG laser therapy, total number of treatments, time between treatments, and treatment response.

Seventeen patients were treated endoscopically with an Nd:YAG laser for laryngeal VMs. The mean age at first treatment was 23.0 years (range, 18 to 45 years). The majority of patients presented with obstructive sleep apnea (58.8%), and 17.5% of patients presented with acute airway obstruction or stridor. The remaining patients presented with minor symptoms, including chronic cough and voice changes. The VMs involved the supraglottis, glottis, or both in 29%, 35%, and 35% of patients, respectively. An average of 4 treatments were required per patient (median, 3.5; range, 1 to 9). The time between treatments increased with each consecutive laser therapy, starting at a mean of 3.8 months between the first and second treatments to 21.7 months between the third and fourth. A marked reduction in VM size and symptom improvement were achieved in each patient after Nd:YAG therapy. Two complications (3%) were encountered among 66 total procedures.

Endoscopic management of VMs using an Nd:YAG laser appears to be both effective and relatively safe. Multiple treatments are often required, but increased time can elapse between consecutive therapies. Use of the Nd:YAG laser for laryngeal VMs helps avoid tracheotomy and open surgical resection.