Laser photocoagulation of vascular malformations of the tongue

Vascular malformations of the tongue (hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, AV fistulae, etc.) compromise a significant portion of head and neck angiodysplastic lesions. Complications requiring treatment include bleeding, pain, and difficulties related to increased tongue volume. Treatment modalities have included embolization, excision, cryotherapy, sclerosis, radiation, and chemotherapy. The more aggressive therapies often result in major functional disability to loss of lingual tissue. A series of nine patients has been treated for one or more of the complications of lingual vascular malformations with either argon of Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation. The therapeutic objective was provision of symptomatic relief with conservation of functioning lingual tissue. Results have varied from good to excellent with markedly decreased bleeding frequency as well as reduction in lesion size. No serious complications, such as bleeding or invasive infection, have been noted. Laser phototherapy is beneficial in the palliation of selected benign lingual vascular malformations.