Percutaneous sclerotherapy of congenital slow-flow vascular malformations of the orbit

This manuscript describes the clinical features, imaging findings, treatment details, and short-term outcomes of a series of congenital slow-flow vascular malformations.

This was a prospective study of congenital slow-flow vascular malformations involving the orbital region treated at a single institution with percutaneous sclerotherapy.

Ten patients presented during the study period, comprising eight venous malformations, one lymphatic malformation, and one veno-lymphatic malformation. Nine patients underwent percutaneous sclerotherapy under digital subtraction angiography guidance, of which three developed marked rise in intraocular pressure requiring lateral canthotomy. The treatments were performed in the presence of an ophthalmologist who measured the intraorbital pressure during and after the procedure. On follow-up, some of the patients required repeat sessions of sclerotherapy. All patients had improvement of symptoms on follow up after the procedure.

Congenital slow-flow vascular malformations of the orbital region are rare lesions that should be treated using a multidisciplinary approach. Monitoring of the intraorbital pressure is required both during and after the procedure to decide about the need for lateral canthotomy to reduce the transiently increased intraorbital pressure.