Skip to main content

The rare complication of vascular malformations of the limb after sclerotherapy: a report of 3 cases and brief literature review

Abstract

Background

Vascular malformations are common but complicated types of disease in infants, with unclear causes and lack of effective prevention. The symptoms usually do not disappear and tend to progress without medical intervention. It is extremely necessary to choose correct treatment options for different types of vascular malformations. A large number of studies have confirmed that sclerotherapy has a tendency to become the first-line treatment in near future, but it is also associated with mild or severe complications. Furthermore, to our knowledge, the serious adverse event of progressive limb necrosis has not been systematically analyzed and reported in the literature.

Case presentation

Three cases (two females and one male) were presented who were all diagnosed as vascular malformations and were treated by several sessions of interventional sclerotherapy. Their previous medical records showed the use of several sclerosants in different sessions including Polidocanol and Bleomycin. The sign of limb necrosis did not occur during the first sclerotherapy, but after the second and third sessions. Furthermore, the short-term symptomatic treatment could improve the necrosis syndrome, but could not change the outcome of amputation.

Conclusion

Sclerotherapy undoubtedly tends to be the first-line treatment in near future, but the adverse reactions still remain major challenges. Awareness of progressive limb necrosis after sclerotherapy and timely management by experts in centers of experience of this complication can avoid amputation.

Peer Review reports

Background

Vascular malformations are complex types of disease, which are attributed to the proliferation and malformation of blood vessels during embryogenesis with lesions of lymphatic, venous, arteriovenous, capillary, or combined origin. The common lesions are found in the head, neck, trunk, and extremities [1]. The symptoms will not disappear without medical intervention, but tend to progress over time [2]. It is a complicated and intractable disease that brings huge challenges to the disease management. However, a series of studies presented multiple treatment options about vascular malformations, including conservative management, sclerotherapy, surgery, laser therapy, cryoablation, and potential targeted therapy [3,4,5,6]. It is noted that sclerotherapy tends to be the first-line treatment of this disease, which is less-invasive, effective, and safe [6, 7]. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to understand its complications. This paper aims to present the rare and serious complication of limb necrosis after sclerotherapy in infants which is rarely systematically analyzed and published in the literature.

Case presentation

CASE 1

A twenty-eight-month-old male infant presented to our department in January 2013 for further treatment of right-hand necrosis after sclerotherapy. His previous medical records demonstrated that he was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformations existing in the second knuckle of the middle finger, the palm, and the back of the right hand for more than two years (Fig. 1A-C). Subsequently, under the guidance of ultrasound, he was treated with subcutaneous embolization using 2 ml of Polidocanol injected subcutaneously around the tumor two sessions within two weeks. Shortly after the second session, the skin temperature near the lesion decreased and the distal blood supply condition deteriorated. Symptomatic drug treatment and physical therapy temporarily controlled the progressive peripheral blood circulation disorder. Unfortunately, progressive darkening of limbs at night and family negligence prevented the child from receiving timely medical treatment. Swelling, pain, reduced skin temperature and vascular Computed tomography angiography(CTA) of the affected limb revealed embolization of the ulnar artery, radial artery and middle and lower brachial artery of the affected limb. After a period of symptomatic treatment of hyperbaric oxygen, anticoagulation, and vasodilation, the level of necrosis was basically clear at the proximal 3 cm of the wrist joint (Fig. 1D). After being transferred to our department for further treatment, medical team proposed that the condition for saving limb was not favorable. During the amputation, we found that the blood flow to the distal limb was completely cut off. The survival of limb was not possible because of extensive embolus and muscle necrosis (Fig. 1E-F).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Diagnosis of primary disease and treatment after necrosis for case 1. A, Coronal view of T2-weighted MRI with fat-suppression sequence revealed partial hyperintensity of the right hand. B-C, Representative hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed the cirsoidangioma (B:original magnification X10, C:original magnification X40). D, The general picture presented the area of necrosis in wrist joint level. E, Intraoperative anatomy showed the deep necrotic muscle and soft tissue. F, The amputation photograph showed the final outcome

CASE 2

A three-year-old female infant presented to our department in November 2014 for necrotic left-hand amputation. Due to a congenital purple-red plaque on the left palm for two years, she was diagnosed as having a venous malformation with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in another hospital (Fig. 2A) and treated with sclerotherapy using 2 ml of Polidocanol injected subcutaneously around the tumor under ultrasound guidance three times. After injecting the sclerosants, tension blisters appeared at the lesion site, but the symptoms of blisters were controlled after local symptomatic treatment. Unfortunately, she was re-admitted because of the skin ulcers, increased limb stiffness, reduced skin temperature, and expanding darkening of the fingertips (Fig. 2B). The Doppler in the other hospital revealed the unclear radial and ulnar artery, weakened deep venous return, and weak arterial pulsation of the left upper limb. During the operation, we found that deep muscles and tissues had been necrotic, and the pathological sample was diagnosed as necrotic fibro-fatty tissue with hemorrhage. We eventually had to amputate the necrotic limb. The follow-up months after the operation showed that the edges of the skin on the stump were slightly darkened, suggesting that the blood flow in the distalpart of the blood vessel was not smooth, but the condition improved after conservative treatments (Fig. 2C).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Diagnosis of primary disease and treatment after necrosis for case 2. A, Coronal view of T2-weighted MRI with fat-suppression sequence revealed partial hyperintensity of the left hand. B, The general picture presented the area of necrosis in wrist joint level. C, The amputation photograph showed the final outcome

CASE 3

A nine-month-old female infant presented to our department in October 2021 with necrosis of left distal limb and received an amputation at middle forearm region. Four months ago, she was found with hypertrophy of left upper limb for 1 month, and then sent to a local hospital (Fig. 3A). Combined with MRI and physical examination, she was diagnosed as vascular malformations (Fig. 4A). Her previous records revealed that the second treatment with Bleomycinin in August was effective same as the first time two months ago. Under digital subtraction angiography (DSA) surveillance, arteriography of the left upper extremity was performed first, followed by arterial embolization and intraluminal injection into the deformity with scalp needle of 3 ml bleomycinmixed solution in first and second session. Imaging showed that the sclerotherapy was successful. However, limb swelling and palepalms appeared within two hours after sclerotherapy. Symptomatic treatment was taken urgently, and she was discharged from the hospital with improved condition. Unfortunately, physical examination showed skin erythema, developing into irreversible purple-black scabs, tenderness, swelling, and lowered skin temperature, which made her re-admitted to the hospital one month after surgery (Fig. 3B). CTA indicated occlusion of the ulnar and radial artery (Fig. 4B). Deep necrotic tissue was seen during the operation, and amputation was inevitable (Fig. 3C).

Fig. 3
figure 3

The sequential record of the affected limb for case 3. A, The photograph showed a more swollen left forearm. B, The preoperative picture presented the area of necrosis in 3 cm level at the distal end of the elbow joint. C, The amputation photograph showed the final outcome

Fig. 4
figure 4

Imaging diagnosis of primary disease and necrosis. A, Coronal view of T2-weighted MRI with fat-suppression sequence revealed abnormally high signal points in the wrist and elbow joints of left extremity. B, CTA angiography showed the interrupted blood flow of the left upper limb in the middle of the left forearm

Discussion and conclusions

The article presented a series of three cases who were all diagnosed as vascular malformations. All three patients (two females and one male) who were under three years old received several sessions of interventional sclerotherapy. Their previous medical records showed the use of several sclerosants in different sessions including Polidocanol and Bleomycin. The sign of limb necrosis did not occur during the first sclerotherapy, but after the second and third sessions. Furthermore, the short-term symptomatic treatment could improve the necrosis syndrome, but could not change the outcome of amputation. The details are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 A Brief Summary of 3 Cases

Sclerosants are available as liquids, foam, suspensions and combined state. It can be administered into the blood stream by different routes. Generally, sclerosing agents can be classified by their physical and biological properties, which can influence treatment response and be associated with side effects [8]. The released sclerosants destroy the venous endothelium and even additional regions of the vein wall. After several sclerotherapy sessions, the vessels are transformed into a fiber cord. Parsi et al. [9, 10] published that Polidocanol could activate the intrinsic pathway of coagulation by clotting factors VIII, IX, and reduce the concentrations of blood anticoagulant factors protein S and protein C. Furthermore, the role of coagulation is associated with other parts of coagulation system, not limited to platelets and clotting factors [11]. In general, the role of transformation is played by a combine effect of sclerosing agents, including the distinct toxic damage to endothelium, degradation of blood cells, and activating blood coagulation, which all lead to pathophysiological pathway of arterial occlusion. It is worth noting that Bleomycin, an anti-tumor drug, which exploits the sclerosing action not relying on the cytostatic effect and is difficult to diffuse into the small vessel with smaller diameter, which may explain why the rare embolism usually almost appears in the large vessels [12,13,14].

The process by which the sclerosants work is also closely related to their adverse reactions. We summarized the following sclerosants listed in Table 2, which were commonly used for sclerotherapy of vascular malformations. Rabe et al. [15] published that the common side effects with Polidocanol are injection site hematoma, irritation, skin discoloration, and pain which were almost mild and self-limited. Consistently, the results of a high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effectiveness and side effects of Polidocanolare similar to those listed in the Table 2 [15]. More meaningfully, a French Polidocanol study with huge person-years on long-term side effects revealed visual disturbances and muscular vein thrombosis [16]. Although Bertanha et al. [17] observerd some minor complications by a Triple-Blind RCT of Polidocanol used in the lower limbs, sclerotherapy was considered as the optional treatment of choice, provided the patient does not mind the temporary or prominent side effects. A large cohort of retrospective study conducted by Bouwman et al. [18] showed complications of using Bleomycin, Lauromacrogol, Doxycycline, Ethanol,and combinations for lymphatic malformations (LMs), and different responses and side effects ranged from different treatment combinations. An evidence based medicine study on Bleomycin for vascular malformations conducted by Horbach et al. [19] summarized the complications fever and flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, and facial nerve dysfunction, which may also be related to anesthesia and intraoperative procedures. As for Bleomycin, the retrospective study published by Burrows et al. [20] and Shergill et al. [21] revealed that cellulitis, pain, swelling, skin blisters, and Horner’s syndrome were minor complications. Additionally, the side effects of other sclerosants expect candidate durgs disscussed detailedly in this article were shown in Table 2 [22,23,24,25,26,27,28].

Table 2 Summary of Adverse Events of Sclerosants

Due to higher incidence of necrosis and smaller compartment in limb, the use of percutaneous sclerotherapy in extremity is still controvertible. In the Birmingham experience, Mendonca et al. [29] suggested that sclerotherapy should not be considered as options of vascular malformations. Conversely, there were varieties of studies suggesting the safety and confirming successful response rate [30, 31]. Furthermore, whether there is a dose–response relationship between the incidence of adverse reactions and sclerosing agents is still controversial. Rabe et al. [32] reported that there was some evidence that the dose of sclerosants may increase the complications rate, while Guevara et al. [30] found no relation between the sclerosants volume and the incidence of complications. This is due to the occurrence of adverse reactions is not only related to the dose of the label agents, but also to its diffusion capacity, the site of injections, and the number of injections. Overall, we are still cautious about concentration and dosage. European guidelines for sclerotherapy suggested the maximum use of Polidocanol and Sodium Tetradecyl Sulphate (STS), and showed what would appear with excessive doses and high concentrations [33]. A high-quality RCT with long follow-up may investigate minor or major complications, high risk of potential syndrome, and the most optional treatment for different vascular malformations.

Every treatment is not perfect, even if research proves that the combined use of sclerosing agent is safer and more effective [34]. Bianchini et al. [7] reported that a minor adverse reaction of a transitory paresis of the posterior interosseous nerve remained, even using combinated sclerosants. Promisingly, the emergence of new state and novel compound of sclerosing agent is bringing new prospects for sclerotherapy [8, 35,36,37]. In addition, much deeper understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of vascular malformations makes targeted therapy response clearer by specific signaling pathways. Calver et al. [5] reported that several trials had shown efficacy of Sirolimus, Thalidomide and Bevacizumab (Avastin) in complex low-flow vascular malformations and hepatic arteriovenous malformations as immunosuppressive agents.

There are a large number of retrospective and prospective studies on adverse reactions of sclerosing agents in recent years, which indicated the lack of best optimal treatment for vascular malformations due to the imbalance between safety and effectiveness. Recent studies suggest the multiple approaches, not only the available options, but novel technology as well. Image, DSA and ultrasound guided percutaneous injection sclerotherapy have evolved as minimally invasive and effective treatments. Subhash et al. [38] revealed that guided sclerotherapy could be a smaller invasion, more safety, more effective and lower cost option in treating venous malformations. Song et al. [39] reported that there were no serious complications with DSA guided percutaneous sclerotherapy for venous malformations and this was worthy of clinical promotion.

To this end, as American Food and Drug Administration approval, we had better understand the absolute contraindications of the drug. It was not mentioned that such serious adverse reactions would kill the application prospects of such drugs. Meanwhile, further basic animal experiments yielding potential pharmacological mechanisms are necessary. Despite of rare but irreparable complications of sclerosants, we may understand advantages of sclerotherapy compared to other approaches and integrate the useful imaging technology and novel compound to avoid catastrophic adverse reactions as much as possible.

Progressive limb necrosis of vascular malformations after sclerotherapy is a rare but serious complication. It is undoubted that sclerotherapy tends to be the first-line treatment in near future, but the adverse reactions still remain major challenges. Awareness of progressive limb necrosis after sclerotherapy and timely management by experts in centers of experience of this complication can avoid amputation.

Availability of data and materials

All data are originated from the outpatient and inpatient medical system of Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Hand & Microsurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

CTA:

Computed tomography angiography

DSA:

Digital subtraction angiography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

RCT:

Randomized controlled trials

LMs:

Lymphatic malformations

STS:

Sodium tetradecyl sulfate

References

  1. Lee BB, Baumgartner I, Berlien P, Bianchini G, Burrows P, Gloviczki P, Huang Y, Laredo J, Loose DA, Markovic J, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Venous Malformations. Consensus Document of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP): updated 2013. Int Angiol. 2015;34(2):97–149.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Lidsky ME, Markovic JN, Miller MJ Jr, Shortell CK. Analysis of the treatment of congenital vascular malformations using a multidisciplinary approach. J Vasc Surg. 2012;56(5):1355–62 (discussion 1362).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Wieck MM, Nowicki D, Schall KA, Zeinati C, Howell LK, Anselmo DM. Management of pediatric intramuscular venous malformations. J Pediatr Surg. 2017;52(4):598–601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Childs DD, Emory CL. Successful treatment of intramuscular venous malformation with image-guided radiofrequency ablation. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2012;23(10):1391–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Pang C, Lim CS, Brookes J, Tsui J, Hamilton G. Emerging importance of molecular pathogenesis of vascular malformations in clinical practice and classifications. Vasc Med (London, England). 2020;25(4):364–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. van der Vleuten CJ, Kater A, Wijnen MH, Schultze Kool LJ, Rovers MM. Effectiveness of sclerotherapy, surgery, and laser therapy in patients with venous malformations: a systematic review. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2014;37(4):977–89.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bianchini G, Camilli D, Furgiuele S. Intramuscular Venous Malformations of the Upper and Lower Limbs: Indications and Outcomes of Sclerotherapy. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2018;41(10):1505–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Comby PO, Guillen K, Chevallier O, Lenfant M, Pellegrinelli J, Falvo N, Midulla M, Loffroy R. Endovascular Use of Cyanoacrylate-Lipiodol Mixture for Peripheral Embolization: Properties, Techniques, Pitfalls, and Applications. J Clin Med. 2021;10(19):4320.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Parsi K, Exner T, Connor DE, Ma DD, Joseph JE. In vitro effects of detergent sclerosants on coagulation, platelets and microparticles. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007;34(6):731–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Parsi K, Exner T, Low J, Ma DD, Joseph JE. In vitro effects of detergent sclerosants on antithrombotic mechanisms. Eur J Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2009;38(2):220–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Cacciola E, Giustolisi R, Musso R, Vecchio R, Longo A, Triolo A, Cacciola RR. Activation of contact phase of blood coagulation can be induced by the sclerosing agent polidocanol: possible additional mechanism of adverse reaction during sclerotherapy. J Lab Clin Med. 1987;109(2):225–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Nevesny F, Chevallier O, Falvo N, Guillen K, Malakhia A, Pellegrinelli J, Comby PO, Bonniaud B, Midulla M, Loffroy R. Bleomycin for Percutaneous Sclerotherapy of Venous and Lymphatic Malformations: A Retrospective Study of Safety, Efficacy and Mid-Term Outcomes in 26 Patients. J Clin Med. 2021;10(6):1302.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Lee HJ, Kim TW, Kim JM, Kim GW, Ko HC, Kim BS, Kim MB, Kim HS. Percutaneous sclerotherapy using bleomycin for the treatment of vascular malformations. Int J Dermatol. 2017;56(11):1186–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. AlGhamdi KM, Kumar A, Ashour AE, Al-Rikabi AC, AlOmrani AH, Ahamed SS. Vascular sclerosing effects of bleomycin on cutaneous veins: a pharmacopathologic study on experimental animals. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):484–91.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Rabe E, Schliephake D, Otto J, Breu FX, Pannier F. Sclerotherapy of telangiectases and reticular veins: a double-blind, randomized, comparative clinical trial of polidocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulphate and isotonic saline (EASI study). Phlebology. 2010;25(3):124–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Guex JJ, Schliephake DE, Otto J, Mako S, Allaert FA. The French polidocanol study on long-term side effects: a survey covering 3,357 patient years. Dermatol Surg. 2010;36(Suppl 2):993–1003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Bertanha M, Jaldin RG, Moura R, Pimenta REF, Mariúba JVO, Lúcio Filho CEP, Alcantara GP, Padovani CR, Yoshida WB, Sobreira ML. Sclerotherapy for Reticular Veins in the Lower Limbs: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(12):1249–55.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Bouwman FCM, Kooijman SS, Verhoeven BH, Schultze Kool LJ, van der Vleuten CJM, Botden S, de Blaauw I. Lymphatic malformations in children: treatment outcomes of sclerotherapy in a large cohort. Eur J Pediatr. 2021;180(3):959–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Horbach SER, Rigter IM, Smitt JHS, Reekers JA, Spuls PI, van der Horst C. Intralesional Bleomycin Injections for Vascular Malformations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(1):244–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Burrows PE, Mitri RK, Alomari A, Padua HM, Lord DJ, Sylvia MB, Fishman SJ, Mulliken JB. Percutaneous sclerotherapy of lymphatic malformations with doxycycline. Lymphat Res Biol. 2008;6(3–4):209–16.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Shergill A, John P, Amaral JG. Doxycycline sclerotherapy in children with lymphatic malformations: outcomes, complications and clinical efficacy. Pediatr Radiol. 2012;42(9):1080–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Lee BB, Kim DI, Huh S, Kim HH, Choo IW, Byun HS, Do YS. New experiences with absolute ethanol sclerotherapy in the management of a complex form of congenital venous malformation. J Vasc Surg. 2001;33(4):764–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Lee BB, Do YS, Byun HS, Choo IW, Kim DI, Huh SH. Advanced management of venous malformation with ethanol sclerotherapy: mid-term results. J Vasc Surg. 2003;37(3):533–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Yakes WF, Haas DK, Parker SH, Gibson MD, Hopper KD, Mulligan JS, Pevsner PH, Johns JC Jr, Carter TE. Symptomatic vascular malformations: ethanol embolotherapy. Radiology. 1989;170(3 Pt 2):1059–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Markovic JN, Nag U, Shortell CK. Safety and efficacy of foam sclerotherapy for treatment of low-flow vascular malformations in children. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2020;8(6):1074–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Gurgacz S, Zamora L, Scott NA. Percutaneous sclerotherapy for vascular malformations: a systematic review. Ann Vasc Surg. 2014;28(5):1335–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lee BB. New approaches to the treatment of congenital vascular malformations (CVMs)–a single centre experience. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2005;30(2):184–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Acevedo JL, Shah RK, Brietzke SE. Nonsurgical therapies for lymphangiomas: a systematic review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008;138(4):418–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Mendonca DA, McCafferty I, Nishikawa H, Lester R. Venous malformations of the limbs: the Birmingham experience, comparisons and classification in children. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2010;63(3):383–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Guevara CJ, Gonzalez-Araiza G, Kim SK, Sheybani E, Darcy MD. Sclerotherapy of Diffuse and Infiltrative Venous Malformations of the Hand and Distal Forearm. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2016;39(5):705–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Delgado J, Bedoya MA, Gaballah M, Low DW, Cahill AM. Percutaneous sclerotherapy of foot venous malformations: evaluation of clinical response. Clin Radiol. 2014;69(9):931–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Rabe E, Pannier F. Sclerotherapy in venous malformation. Phlebology. 2013;28(Suppl 1):188–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Pannier F, Rabe E. Results from RCTs in Sclerotherapy: European Guidelines for Sclerotherapy in Chronic Venous Disorders*. Phlebology. 2014;29(1 suppl):39–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Ergun O, Atlı E, Gulek B, Ciftci T, Cil B, Vargel I, Peynircioğlu B. Intraarterial polidocanol injection for the treatment of peripheral arteriovenous malformations. Surg Today. 2014;44(7):1232–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Teusch VI, Wohlgemuth WA, Hammer S, Piehler AP, Müller-Wille R, Goessmann H, Uller W. Ethanol-Gel Sclerotherapy of Venous Malformations: Effectiveness and Safety. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(6):1390–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Hanshu Z, Shaohua L, Anwei C. A Novel Compound Sclerosant: Polidocanol-Bleomycin Foam. Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(12):1712–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Chen AW, Liu SH, Huang YY, Wang T. Preliminary Experience With More Stable Polidocanol Foam in Sclerotherapy of Head and Neck Venous Malformations. Dermatol Surg. 2018;44(11):1421–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kumar S, Bhavana K, Kumar B, Sinha AK, Kumar P. Image Guided Sclerotherapy of Masseteric Venous Malformations. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2020;129(6):548–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Song D, Wu C, Guo L, Wang L, Li J, Zhang X. Efficacy and safety of DSA-guided percutaneous sclerotherapy for venous malformations of penile region in children. J Pediatr Surg. 2021;56(3):601–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank Lushan Peng (Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University) for acquiring the confirmed pathology filmes and Hong Yu (Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University) for the post-processing of diagnosis imaging. We also thank Home for Researchers editorial team (www.home-for-researchers.com) for language editing service.

Funding

No.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

NS collected information and wrote the first draft. JT supervised and revised the report. RL, GC, PW, FY, LQ, LZ, XP, DP, YX, UZK reviewed the report and put forward suggestions. All authors read and approved the final manuscript and participated in patient care and surgery.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juyu Tang.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

It was approved by the Ethics committee of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Consent for publication

Written informed consents for publication have been obtained from the patient’s guardians (father of the patients). The consent can be provided on request.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sun, N., Liu, R., Cheng, G. et al. The rare complication of vascular malformations of the limb after sclerotherapy: a report of 3 cases and brief literature review. BMC Pediatr 23, 202 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04018-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04018-w

Keywords