Sclerotherapy for eyelid and anterior orbital venous-lymphatic malformation

To assess the efficacy of sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS; Fibrovein 1%) in superficial periocular venous and lymphatic malformations.

Eleven patients with low-flow venous and lymphatic malformations with extension predominantly to the eyelids, conjunctiva, and anterior orbit were selected. Sclerotherapy with STS was undertaken as an office-based procedure without any radiological guidance. Injections were repeated every 4 weeks until desired response occurred. Therapeutic effect was assessed objectively by change in the size of the lesions in serial photography.

The lesions completely resolved in 4 cases with small eyelid and fornix lesions. In other 7 cases there was partial resolution to less than half of primary size. We did not have any significant complications.

Sclerotherapy with STS is an easy and effective modality for treatment of venous-lymphatic malformations and can be undertaken as an office-based procedure in lesions which are limited to eyelids and anterior orbit.