[The application of contrast-enhanced X-ray salpingography for the evaluation of the effectiveness of catheterization of the acoustic tube with the use of the Eustachian catheters]. / Rentgenokontrastnaia sal'pingografiia v otsenke éffektivnosti kateterizatsii slukhovoi truby ushnymi kateterami.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the administration of a medication into the middle ear structures during catheterization of the acoustic tube (AT) in the course of the contrast-enhanced X-ray salpingographic investigation. The study included 18 patients (18 ears) presenting with chronic otitis media and the perforated tympanic membrane without the disturbances of the ventilation function of the auditory tube. All the patients were allocated to two groups depending on the type of the Eustachian catheters being used. Group 1 was comprised of 9 patients treated with the use of traditional Giyot's catheter, group 2 was composed of another nine patients who were treated with the use of the Eustachian catheters having an original shape with a specific configuration of its distal part. The X-ray studies were carried out before and after catheterization of the acoustic tube with the administration of 1 ml of the hypaque contrast medium. The study has demonstrated that the X-ray contrast agent did not penetrate into the inner structures of the middle ear of the patients comprising group 1 whereas in the patients of the second group the contrast medium reached as far as the bony portion of the acoustic tube.

Aneurysmal bone cyst: A 19-case series managed by percutaneous sclerotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Sclerotherapy offers an alternative to surgery for the treatment of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). The main objective of the present study was to assess the radiological efficacy of sclerotherapy in terms of ossification on MRI. Secondary objectives were to assess clinical efficacy on pain evaluation and to analyze recurrence and complications according to type of sclerosing agent and intraoperative imaging technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2014, 19 patients (7 females, 12 males, aged 3 to 17 years) with ABC treated by sclerotherapy were included. Six received Ethibloc(®), 9 Aetoxisclerol(®), 2 liquid absolute alcohol, and 2 absolute alcohol gel. Assessment used fluoroscopy in 17 cases and CT in 2. Ossification was assessed on MRI and pain on a visual analog scale and HEDEN score. RESULTS: Ossification was complete in 11 cases (84.6%) and partial in 2 (15.4%). Eighteen patients (94.7%) were pain-free at 3 months. There was no recurrence, at a minimum 2 years' follow-up. One case of skin necrosis was observed, associated with use of liquid absolute alcohol; there was 1 case of arterial reflux of Ethibloc(®) under CT control. DISCUSSION: Sclerotherapy enables minimally invasive treatment of lesions that are deep, difficult of access to surgery and potentially damaging. Use of absolute alcohol gel and fluoroscopic control seems to improve the risk/benefit ratio, limiting complications by vascular extravasation of the sclerosing agent, thanks to real-time visualization of diffusion. Its clinical and radiological efficacy makes sclerotherapy and alternative primary treatment choice in ABC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

El uso de Gastrografin ® en el manejo del cuadro de oclusión intestinal adherencial / Use of Gastrografin ® in the management of adhesion intestinal obstruction

Introducción Las adherencias son la causa más importante de oclusión intestinal, suponen un 25% de las consultas por dolor abdominal. Con un correcto manejo de este cuadro, la mortalidad asociada puede ser menor de un 5-10%. El Gastrografin® puede ayudar a ello. Objetivo La aplicación de un protocolo de manejo de la oclusión intestinal adherencial con Gastrografin® es segura y permite disminuir la estancia hospitalaria y el tiempo de indicación de cirugía por fallo del tratamiento conservador. Material y método Estudio prospectivo observacional, siguiendo un protocolo preestablecido. Una vez diagnosticado el cuadro, descartadas otras causas de oclusión y la presencia de sufrimiento intestinal, se administra Gastrografin® y se inicia tratamiento conservador. Si el Gastrografin® pasa al colon en el control de las 8, 12 o 24 h posteriores a su administración, se considera la oclusión como parcial, se inicia dieta oral y se evalúa el alta. Si no pasa el contraste a las 24 h, se indica cirugía .Resultados Desde enero de 2009 hasta diciembre de 2011, se trataron 211 episodios (164 pacientes). En 170 episodios se administró contraste con llegada del mismo al colon en 142 episodios (104 episodios a las 8 h, 11 a las 12 h y 27 a las 24 h) Se intervienen a 28 pacientes por fallo del tratamiento conservador y a 5 por otras causas. Conclusiones La aplicación de un protocolo en el que se incluye el uso de Gastrografin® en la oclusión intestinal adherencial es seguro y permite tomar decisiones terapéuticas con mayor celeridad y con una menor estancia hospitalaria (AU)

Background Adhesions are the most important cause of intestinal obstruction. Approximately 25% of surgical admissions for acute abdominal conditions are due to intestinal obstruction. Better diagnostic and treatment methods of intestinal obstruction could potentially reduce mortality rate to 5-10%. Gastrografin® could contribute to this achieve this. Aim To present a protocol to treat adhesion intestinal obstruction with Gastrografin® that is safe, and allows shorter hospital stays and shorter time between admission and surgery. Material and methods All patients with adhesion intestinal obstruction without symptoms of strangulation were treated with Gastrografin®, intravenous fluids and nasogastric tube. Those in whom contrast reach the colon in 8, 12 or 24 hours were considered to have partial obstruction, and were fed orally. If Gastrografin® failed in the following 24 hours, a laparotomy was performed. Results Out of a total of 211 episodes (164 patients), 170 episodes received contrast and in 142 cases Gastrografin® reached the colon (104 episodes at 8 h, 11 at 12 h, and 27 at 24 h). A laparotomy was required in 28 patients because of failed treatment, and in another 5 for other causes. Conclusions A management protocol for adhesion intestinal obstruction with Gastrografin® is safe, reduces morbidity and mortality, and leads to a shorter hospital stay (AU)

Sclerotherapy for lymphatic malformations in children: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: This scoping review assesses the literature and summarizes the current evidence on sclerotherapy for the treatment of lymphatic malformations in pediatric patients. METHODS: A comprehensive search of published and unpublished literature was conducted using multiple databases. Title, abstract, and full-text screening was conducted by 2 independent clinicians. All discrepancies were resolved during consensus meetings. RESULTS: A total of 182 articles were retrieved. Forty-four articles were removed as duplicates, and 11 articles were added after reviewing prominent studies. After full-text abstraction, 44 articles and 2 conference proceedings (N = 882 patients) were included in the final results. Twelve articles were classified as level II and 34 articles as level IV evidence. Picibanil (OK-432) was the primary agent used in most included studies. Postinjection symptoms with OK-432 were primarily fever, swelling, and erythema at the site. Life-threatening complications were uncommon and involved postinjection swelling of cervical lesions causing airway compromise. CONCLUSIONS: The literature regarding sclerotherapy for lymphatic malformations is of a low level of evidence and suffers from a lack of standardization. Randomized clinical trials focused on OK-432, bleomycin, or alcoholic solution of zein; standardized dosing protocols; and consistent and reliable outcome reporting will be necessary for further development of treatment guidelines.

Effectiveness and tolerability of amidotrizoate for the treatment of constipation resistant to laxatives in advanced cancer patients.

CONTEXT: Constipation is a common problem for advanced cancer patients, and is generally inadequately treated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of amidotrizoate (AM) in patients unresponsive to current laxatives. METHODS: A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients was surveyed. Inclusion criteria were no bowel movements for three days despite receiving regular doses of senna or lactulose. AM 50 mL was administered orally; the dose could be repeated the day after, based on clinical judgment and/or patients' preference. Age, sex, primary tumor, previous abdominal surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy performed in the previous month, and the use of opioids were recorded. Nausea, the presence of early satiety, and fluid and food intake also were measured. Time to first bowel movement was recorded, and adverse effects attributable to AM. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were surveyed (36 women/63 men). The mean age was 65.7 years (SD±12.2) and the mean Karnofsky score was 46.8 (SD±9.4). Patients had no bowel movement for a mean of four days (SD±1.8, range 3-15 days). A total of 80.8% of patients were receiving opioids in doses of mean daily oral morphine equivalents of 164 mg (SD±235). After AM administration (mean 9.9±6.5 hours), 44.4% of patients had a bowel movement within 24 hours. This effect was associated with significant improvement of other symptoms and was independent of age (P=0.513), gender (P=0.090), Karnofsky status (P=0.979), days of constipation (P=0.198), concomitant chemotherapy (P=0.098) or radiotherapy (P=0.414), the use of opioids (P=0.361), opioid doses (P=0.420), and primary tumor (P=0.231). The treatment was more effective in patients who had previous abdominal surgery (HR=3.33). CONCLUSION: AM was found to be an easy and inexpensive breakthrough medication to induce a bowel movement in about 45% of advanced cancer patients not responsive to common laxatives, with limited and acceptable adverse effects.

Sclerotherapy of lymphangiomas of the head and neck.

Lymphangiomas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system that consist of cysts of varying size. Although they are benign, they can undergo progressive growth with compression and infiltration of adjacent structures. Surgical excision has been the cornerstone of treatment, although total excision of the lymphangioma can be a major challenge and may be associated with severe complications. Therefore, a variety of nonsurgical methods have been proposed to reduce the surgical morbidity and to decrease the recurrence rate. Percutaneous sclerotherapy of lymphangioma involves the injection of sclerosing substances into the lymphangioma cysts. During the past years, different sclerosants and sclerosant techniques have been developed. This review summarizes the current knowledge on sclerotherapy of lymphangiomas of the head and neck.

[Intramasseteric hemangioma operated by intraoral approach]. / Hémangiome du masséter opéré par voie intra-orale.

INTRODUCTION: Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors, of unknown origin. Skeletal muscle localization account for less than 1% of cases. Masseter muscle localization is most common in head and neck (36%). In this case, treatment is usually surgery via an extra-oral approach which imposes parotidectomy with dissection of facial nerve branches. We report a case of intramasseteric hemangioma operated via an intraoral approach and we describe the benefits of this approach. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old male patient with no prior history of trauma consulted for left masseter swelling having evolved for several years. Clinical examination revealed a soft, painless, well-defined swelling, about 5cm long, with a positive Wattle sign in the left cheek. The CT exam suggested a vascular lesion, located in the deep bundle of the masseter muscle. Preoperative embolization was followed by surgical exeresis via an intraoral approach. The post-operative evolution was uneventful. No recurrence was observed at one year of follow-up. DISCUSSION: Intraoral intramasseteric hemangioma exeresis is possible and does not seem to lead to more complications than with the facial approach. It prevents the significant drawbacks due to cutaneous incision, parotidectomy, and dissection of facial nerve branches via a facial approach.

Multimodality treatment of pediatric lymphatic malformations of the head and neck using surgery and sclerotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a multimodality approach to the management of pediatric head and neck lymphatic malformations using surgery, sclerotherapy, or both and to review the outcomes of these approaches. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: A single pediatric tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: Ninety-seven pediatric patients (aged 1 month to 16 years) diagnosed as having lymphatic malformations of the head and neck during a 7-year period. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 7 years. INTERVENTIONS: All of the patients underwent clinical and radiologic (magnetic resonance imaging) assessment. Treatment modality was selected according to disease location, cyst size, and parental preference. Treatments included surgery (open excision, tongue reduction, electrocautery, and laser treatment), sclerotherapy with OK-432 (Picibanil) or a fibrosing agent (Ethibloc), and a combination of modalities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinically determined responses to treatment, complications, and number of treatments required. RESULTS: All isolated neck disease had complete or near-complete responses, with no nerve palsies sustained. Although most patients achieved complete or near-complete responses, disease with parotid, laryngopharyngeal, or oral components had poorer outcomes and frequently required multiple treatments. Significant long-term neural injury was sustained in 3 of 6 surgical patients for mediastinal disease and in only 4% (n = 4) of other surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery retains an important role in the treatment of pediatric head and neck lymphatic malformations despite the advent of sclerotherapy. Isolated neck disease has an excellent outcome with either modality. Treatment decisions were made via a problem-based approach and were individualized according to anatomical location and disease classification.

The healing effects of tissue glues and healing agent locally applied on esophageal anastomoses.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of cyanoacrylate (C), fibrin glue (FG), and natrium hyaluronate (NH) on the healing of esophageal anastomosis (EA). METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits were divided equally into 4 groups: primary anastomosis (PA), C, FG, and NH. A 1-cm-length of the cervical esophagus was resected through a cervical incision and then anastomosis was performed. C, FG, and NH were instilled into anastomosis lines in the respective groups. The animals were fed orally on postoperative day 7 on the condition that there was no esophageal leakage. The rabbits were sacrificed 8 weeks later to evaluate bursting pressure (BP), tissue hydroxyproline (HP) levels and wound healing scores (WHSs) in the anastomosis lines. RESULTS: BP was significantly higher in the C group than in the PA, FG, and NH groups, and HP was significantly lower than in the other groups. WHSs in the PA and NH groups were lower than in the C and FG groups. CONCLUSIONS: C and NH appear to be beneficial in EA healing with respect to increased BP and decreased HP when they are used simultaneously with PA prophylactically to prevent esophageal leakages and stricture.

Long-term follow-up of Ethibloc injection in aneurysmal bone cysts.

The aim of this study is to assess the long-term results of Ethibloc injection in aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC). Thirty-three patients with ABC were treated with computed tomography-guided percutaneous injection of Ethibloc into the cyst cavity. Twenty-two patients had Ethibloc injection as primary treatment and 11 patients had presented to us with recurrence after previous procedures including steroid injection, bone marrow injection, curettage bone grafting and various other surgical procedures. The mean follow-up was 54 (22-90) months. Symptoms were relieved in all patients. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Eighteen (58%) of the 31 patients followed, had complete resolution of the lesion, 11 (35.5%) patients had partial healing (asymptomatic residual nonprogressive lytic areas). Two (6.5%) patients showed recurrence in the proximal humerus during the follow-up. They are under follow-up but asymptomatic and another two patients encountered more significant complications after the procedure. Ethibloc injection is a relatively simple, minimally invasive alternative procedure for the treatment of ABC, and makes open operation unnecessary by stopping the expansion of the cyst and inducing endosteal new bone formation. This technique may be used as the primary management of ABC's excluding spinal lesions as shown by our largest and longest follow-up study.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of a giant mediastinal lymphangioma.

The present study reports a case of percutaneous sclerotherapy of a giant mediastinal cystic lymphangioma using Ethibloc (Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany) and absolute ethanol in a 59-yr-old female. The tumour, situated predominantly in a retrocardiac location, caused dyspnoea and dysphagia by compression and was considered unresectable. Follow-up computed tomography 3 yrs after treatment showed a 90% volume reduction of the tumour. The patient is currently asymptomatic. To the best of the present authors' knowledge, percutaneous transthoracic sclerotherapy of a mediastinal lymphangioma has not previously been reported in the literature available in English.

Transarterial nephrectomy: the current status of experimental and clinical studies.

INTRODUCTION: Open nephrectomy is associated with significant morbidity. For several years, minimally invasive alternatives have been developed such as laparoscopic nephrectomy or transarterial renal ablation. This paper focuses on the different principles of vaso-occlusion and further improvements of the technique such as capillary chemoembolization in experimental as well as clinical studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on own in vitro studies, the principle of capillary embolization with occlusion of the entire arterial system up to the capillaries by a precipitating corn protein (Ethibloc) has been developed in animal studies (i.e., rat and canine kidney model). The precipitation speed of Ethibloc can be prolonged by 40% glucose per injection. The organ-ablative efficacy was evaluated in models of unilateral hypertension and chemically induced renal tumors (i.e., dimethyl-nitrosamine). Further studies using the model of unilateral transarterial implantation of Yoshida-sarcoma cells compared capillary chemoembolization using Ethibloc/mitomycin C (MMC) versus chemoperfusion and capillary embolization. Before starting clinical trials, the optimal mixture of Ethibloc and MMC was determined in vitro and in vivo. Prior to the vaso-occlusion, the volume of the arterial system of the kidney is determined by perfusion of the kidney with contrast-dye via a blocked balloon-catheter. Then 25% of the determined volume of 40% glucose is pre-injected followed by Ethibloc/MMC being injected with 1-cm(3) syringes. Once the capillary bed and tumor sinusoids are reached, the balloon catheter is emptied by postinjection of 40% glucose. RESULTS: Capillary embolization proved to be significantly superior to a central (i.e., ligation of renal artery) or peripheral type of occlusion resulting in complete coagulation necrosis of the normal rat and canine kidney with reduction of the elevated blood pressure, similar to nephrectomy in the model of renal hypertension. In the model of chemically induced renal tumors, complete necrosis of T2 stages could be achieved in 83% using Ethibloc compared to only 63% with Gelfoam particles, and 17% after ligation. In T3/T4 stages, the response rate was only 60% versus 0% after central and peripheral occlusion. In the highly aggressive Yoshida-sarcoma model, capillary chemoembolization yielded an 80% complete response rate compared to only 75% after capillary embolization and 70% after chemoperfusion. The optimal mixture of Ethibloc and MMC ranged between 1 and 2 mg of MMC to 1 cm(3) of Ethibloc, therefore for clinical trials 10 mg MMC was added to the 7.5 cm(3) syringe of Ethibloc. Clinical studies included 68 preoperatively as well as 62 palliatively embolized patients with renal cell carcinoma. The procedure was relatively well tolerated and usually associated with a mild postembolization syndrome. After an interval of up to 28 days, complete necrosis of the renal tumor could be achieved in tumors up to 9 cm in diameter. Hematuria ceased in all cases, and in selected cases long-lasting responses of very large tumors (i.e., vena cava involvement) could be achieved. DISCUSSION: Capillary chemoembolization represents an effective concept for ablation of malignant renal tumors. It offers control of tumor growth in case of temporary inoperability as well as cessation of hematuria in a palliative situation. Because of the local ablative efficiency, it may still represent a minimally invasive option in advanced stages of renal carcinoma (i.e., in combination with immunochemotherapy or targeted therapy).

Modern concepts of primary aneurysmal bone cyst.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the long experience of radiologists, pathologists and orthopaedists with aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC), there is limited knowledge regarding the cause of the lesion and the optimal treatment. The pathogenesis of ABC remains unclear with theories ranging from a post-traumatic, reactive vascular malformation to genetically predisposed bone tumours. Recent genetic and immunohistochemical studies proposed that primary ABC is a tumour and not a reactive tumour-simulating lesion. The chromosomal analyses and some reported familial cases of this osteolytic bone lesion propose a hereditary factor in a presumably multifactorial pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imaging studies, even CT scan and MRI sometimes do not provide clearly diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of ABC. The radiographically differential diagnosis between ABC and unicameral bone cyst (UBC) is sometimes not clear. Double density fluid level, septation, low signal on T1 images and high intensity on T2 images strongly suggest the bone cyst is an ABC, rather than a UBC. CONCLUSION: Common methods of treatment vary considerably in the literature. The usual methods of treatment are curettage, resection, intracystic injections and embolization. Biopsy is imperative before any treatment. Ethibloc treatment remains highly controversial. For some authors Ethibloc injection can be recommended as the first-choice treatment excluding spinal lesions. A minimally invasive method by introduction of demineralized bone and autogenous bone marrow is able to promote the self-healing of a primary ABC.

Alcoholic solution of zein (Ethibloc) sclerotherapy for treatment of lymphangiomas in children.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the experience and efficacy of Ethibloc sclerotherapy as treatment of lymphangiomas. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2004, 63 patients had Ethibloc sclerotherapy for lymphangiomas at our institution. Computed tomographic scan or magnetic resonance imaging and clinical evaluation determined efficacy of the treatment. Results were classified as excellent (> or =95% decrease in lesion volume), satisfactory (> or =50% decrease and asymptomatic), or poor (<50% decrease or symptomatic). RESULTS: Sixty-three patients with 67 lesions underwent sclerotherapy with a median of 2 treatments per patient. Thirty-five involved the neck; 10, the head and face; and 22, the thorax or limb. Thirteen were predominantly microcystic; 28, macrocystic; and 26, mixed. Of the 63 patients, 6 underwent sclerotherapy for postsurgical residual lesions. Results were classified by type: of the 54 macrocystic/mixed cases, 26 (49%) had excellent, 19 (35%) had good, and 9 (16%) had poor results; in the 13 predominantly microcystic lesions, 3 (23%) had excellent, 7 (54%) had good, and 3 (23%) poor results. Five patients (7.7%) required surgery for complications; 2, for scar revision; 2, for persistent drainage; and 1, for a salivary fistula. Infection occurred in 4 patients (6.2%) after sclerotherapy. Follow-up averaged 3.5 years (range, 12 months to 12 years). CONCLUSION: Ethibloc sclerotherapy is a safe and effective alternative to surgical excision of macrocystic lymphangiomas and can be used for postsurgical recurrences.

Percutaneous Ethibloc injection in the treatment of primary aneurysmal bone cysts.

The effects of percutaneous Ethibloc (Ethicon/Johnson & Johnson, St-Stevens-Woluwe, Belgium) injection into primary aneurysmal bone cysts were analysed. Two patients with a venous drainage after injection of a medium contrast were excluded. Twelve patients underwent at least one percutaneous injection of Ethibloc. The average follow-up period was 5.1 years. At final follow-up, six patients had complete healing of the cyst, three had partial healing and three, who had no response, were treated by curettage and bone grafting. Complete healing was observed for all the aggressive lesions. No major complications were noted. Ethibloc injection may be performed as a primary treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts if the technique is followed with precision.

Recurrence of aneurysmal bone cysts in young children: a multicentre study.

Some authors have reported that the clinical and pathologic behaviour of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) is more aggressive in younger patients and that younger patients have more tumour recurrence. The authors carried out a retrospective, multicentred paediatric population-based analysis of 21 patients (14 boys and seven girls), 5 years of age or younger, with primary ABCs. Only patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. The most common operation was curettage (14 cases). Methylprednisolone acetate injection was used in two cases (failure in the initial diagnosis before biopsy) with negative results. An Ethibloc (Ethnor Laboratories/Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany) injection was employed in four cases. There were five recurrences. Three lesions recurred once, one lesion recurred three times and one recurred six times. These recurrences occurred in two cases after methylprednisolone acetate injection, after Ethibloc (Ethnor Laboratories/Ethicon) injection (one case) and, after curettage (two cases). ABCs in children, 5 years of age or younger, do not seem to be more aggressive than in older children. Curettage is a surgical procedure that can be used even in young children. Of course, recurrence is always possible but the recurrence rate is not unacceptable. More aggressive operative intervention does not appear to be indicated.

Treatment of epistaxis in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease by in situ Ethibloc injections.

After a brief review of Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, we present the results from a series of 13 patients treated by Ethibloc injections for epistaxis. Based on a review of the literature, typical treatments are presented along with discussion of their efficacy and side effects. In our series, 90% of patients improved after only one injection. All patients reported a decrease in hemorrhage, especially patients with recurrent epistaxis. Five of nine patients reported a decrease in the length of the bleeding episodes. Improvement was reported by 85% of patients within one month following Ethibloc injection. Fifty percent of these patients have persistent good results at 4 Year follow-up. Our results indicate that Ethibloc injections are safe and effective as an alternative treatment for patients that have failed standard treatment options.

Sclerotherapy in aneurysmal bone cysts in children: a review of 17 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of percutaneous sclerotherapy in the treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients (7 girls, 10 boys) with aneurysmal bone cysts were treated by the percutaneous approach with Ethibloc ( n=14) and histoacryl glue ( n=3) in our institution between January 1994 and June 2000. The cysts were located in the extremities ( n=6), pelvis ( n=2), spine ( n=2), mandible ( n=5), rib ( n=1) and sphenoid bone ( n=1). Percutaneous sclerotherapy was performed with fluoroscopic and/or computed tomographic guidance under general anesthesia. Clinical and imaging follow-up lasted from 24 months to 9 years and 6 months (mean: 57.3 months). The results were quantified as: excellent (residual cyst less than 20% of the initial involvement), satisfactory (residual cyst 30-50%), unsatisfactory (residual cyst more than 50%). RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 4 years and 6 months to 15 years and 8 months (mean: 11 years and 2 months). In nine patients, the therapeutic procedure was repeated 2-5 times. Excellent regression was observed in 16 (94%), satisfactory results in 1 (6%). There was no failure (unsatisfactory result or no response to treatment) in this reported series. The complications were minor and included: local inflammatory reaction ( n=2), small blister ( n=1), and leakage ( n=1). Relief of symptoms was achieved in all patients. No recurrence was noted during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous sclerotherapy of aneurysmal bone cysts with Ethibloc is safe and effective. It is an important alternative to surgery, especially when surgery is technically impossible or not recommended in high-risk patients.

Classification of venous malformations in children and implications for sclerotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to present a simple and descriptive classification system for venous malformations (VMs) that may serve as a basis for interventional therapy, and to test its usefulness in a sample of consecutively referred paediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The classification system we developed includes four types: type I, isolated malformation without peripheral drainage; type II, malformation that drains into normal veins; type III, malformation that drains into dilated veins; and type IV, malformation that represents dysplastic venous ectasia. The system was prospectively tested using phlebography in a sample of 43 children and adolescents with VMs who were referred for treatment during a 10-month period. Our hypothesis was that the type of VM would determine whether low-risk sclerotherapy was indicated. RESULTS: Thirteen (30%) patients had a type-I VM, 16 (37%) had a type-II, 9 (21%) had a type-III, and 5 (12%) had a type-IV malformation. In more than 90% of patients with a type-I or type-II lesion, sclerotherapy could be performed without any problems. In one third of patients with a type-III VM, sclerotherapy had to be withheld and one of nine (11%) developed a severe complication after therapy. Of the five patients with type-IV lesions, three (60%) had to be excluded from sclerotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial results indicate that sclerotherapeutic intervention in patients with type-III and type-IV VMs must be carefully considered, while it can be safely performed in low-risk patients with type-I and type-II lesions.