Venous malformation of the pediatric airway.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the management of venous malformations of the pediatric airway, including diagnostic criteria and response to sclerotherapy and laser photocoagulation.

DESIGN

Case series analysis of eight patients diagnosed with venous malformations of the upper airway.

SETTING

Academic, tertiary care, children's hospital.

PATIENTS: Eight patients (3 female, 5 male) with congenital venous malformations of the upper airway.

INTERVENTION: Each patient underwent an individualized treatment regimen of sclerotherapy, laser photocoagulation and/or surgery.

RESULTS

The combination of sclerotherapy and laser photocoagulation appears to cause gradual regression of the malformation. Five of the eight patients will require further therapy; two patients remain tracheotomy dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

Extensive venous malformations of the pediatric airway require staged therapy, with a combination of sclerotherapy and photocoagulation. Long-term follow-up is essential because of the natural history of these lesions.