Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Holzbauer, M.
Management der venösen Fehlbildungen der Hand im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Eine retrospektive Studie
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2014. pp. 73
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Haxhija Emir
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- Abstract:
- Introduction: Venous malformations are usually present at birth and may enlarge as the child grows older. Radiologic methods like magnetic resonance imaging with angiography are often necessary to define the exact entity and the exact range of the vascular malformations. These may be relatively well localized within an anatomic region, or may grow quite extensive infiltrating various tissues and not respecting any anatomic borders. Treatment of the venous malformations (VMs) of the hand is particularly difficult due to potential problems related to damage of the blood supply, function, and cosmesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of the patients with venous malformations in the region of hands. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of the entire patient population treated at the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery of the Medical University of Graz in the 10-years period between 1st of January 2003 and 31st of December 2012 has been conducted including male and female children presenting with venous malformations on the hand who received conservative or operative treatment. Data of gender and age distribution, diagnosis at time of discharge, results of imaging and histology, information concerning medical history and clinical symptoms as well as invasive and non invasive treatment during the course of disease including the duration of hospitalisation and the follow-up have been evaluated. Results: Nineteen patients were included into the study. The gender ratio was 1:1,1 (female:male). VMs were located only in the region of fingers in 13 patients, in the region of fingers and palm in 3 patients, and only in the palm region in 3 patients. Four asymptomatic patients did not receive any treatment. In 15 patients surgical excision and debulking was performed due to pain, and/or functional deficits. At the follow up 9 patients developed a recurrence of the venous malformation and 7 of them needed one or more additional surgeries. Conclusion: Due to the dangers associated with sclerotherapy in the region of the hand surgical treatment is an important therapeutic option for patients with VMs of the hand, especially when symptoms cannot be managed with conservative therapy. Surgical resection is however, associated with a high recurrence rate which is mainly due to the infiltrative diffuse growth pattern of the venous malformations in the region of the hand.