IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711
Int J Clin Exp Med 2013;6(5):377-389

Review Article
Guidelines for the treatment of head and neck venous malformations

Jia Wei Zheng, Hua Ming Mai, Ling Zhang, Yan An Wang, Xin Dong Fan, Li Xin Su, Zhong Ping Qin, Yao Wu Yang, Yin Hua Jiang, Yi
Fang Zhao, James Y Suen

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University,
Shanghai 200011, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning
530021, Guangxi Province, China; Special Department of Hemangioma and Vascular Anomalies, Tumor Hospital of Linyi City, Linyi
276000, Shandong Province, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fourth Military
Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shannxi Province, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lishui People’s Hospital and
Lishui Stomatological Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and
Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China; Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck
Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, USA

Received April 5, 2013; Accepted April 20, 2013; Epub May 22, 2013; Published June 1, 2013

Abstract: Venous malformation is one of the most common benign vascular lesions, with approximately 40% of cases appearing in
the head and neck. They can affect a patient’s appearance and functionality and even cause life-threatening bleeding or respiratory tract
obstruction. The current methods of treatment include surgery, laser therapy, sclerotherapy, or a combined. The treatment of small and
superficial venous malformations is relatively simple and effective; however, the treatment of deep and extensive lesions involving
multiple anatomical sites remains a challenge for the physicians. For complex cases, the outcomes achieved with one single
treatment approach are poor; therefore, individualized treatment modalities must be formulated based on the patient’s condition and
the techniques available. Comprehensive multidisciplinary treatments have been adapted to achieve the most effective results. In this
paper, based on the national and international literature, we formulated the treatment guidelines for head and neck venous
malformations to standardize clinical practice. The guideline will be renewed and updated in a timely manner to reflect cutting-edge
knowledge and to provide the best treatment modalities for patients. (IJCEM1304003).

Keywords: Head and neck, venous malformation, treatment guidelines

Address correspondence to: Dr. Jia Wei Zheng, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, College of
Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China. E-mail: davidzhengjw@sjtu.edu.cn