Long-term patient satisfaction after percutaneous treatment of peripheral vascular malformations

Purpose: To determine long-term patient satisfaction for percutaneous treatment by using sclerosing agents (sclerotherapy) and/or arterial embolization for peripherally located vascular malformations (VMs). This treatment has been described as successful; however, there is a relative paucity of published long-term results. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was institutional review board approved; 107 patients treated for symptomatic VM were evaluated. After informed consent was obtained, 66 patients were sent a questionnaire regarding treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Patient files and imaging data were retrieved to obtain information regarding the VMs and VM treatment. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to analyze clinical success rates over time. Results: The most frequent reasons for patients to seek treatment were pain (89%, n = 59) and swelling (91%, n = 60). The majority of VMs were the low-flow venous type (83%, n = 55). Three months after treatment, clinica...