Sclerotherapy for venous malformations of the glans penis.

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous sclerotherapy with polidocanol in 9 patients with venous malformations of the glans penis. Vascular malformations of the external genitalia can be aesthetically and functionally disabling. These lesions are rare and their treatment is still controversial.

METHODS

Seven patients were asymptomatic, seeking advice for cosmetic reasons, and 2 patients had experienced several bleeding episodes during sexual intercourse. In all patients, Doppler ultrasound scanning was performed before treatment. All patients underwent direct intralesional injection of polidocanol. The concentration of the sclerosant varied from 1% to 3%, and the volume of the solution varied from 2 to 4 mL per injection. Four patients required multiple sclerotherapeutic sessions.

RESULTS

All patients experienced marked swelling after the injection and three developed cutaneous blistering. Neither cutaneous necrosis nor early or late major complications occurred. At a mean follow-up of 35.1 months, 7 patients were cured and 2 had marked improvement. No patients presented with signs of recurrence, and the outcome was overall cosmetically successful.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerotherapy with polidocanol is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective treatment for venous malformations of the penis. In our opinion, it can be considered the treatment of choice.