Pulmonary hypertensive crisis following ethanol sclerotherapy for a complex vascular malformation.

Abstract

Anhydrous ethanol is a commonly used sclerotic agent for treating vascular malformations. We describe the case of a full-term 15-day-old female with a complex venolymphatic malformation involving the face and orbit. During treatment of the lesion with ethanol sclerotherapy, she suffered acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis. We discuss the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension related to ethanol sclerotherapy, and propose that hemolysis plays a significant role. Recommendations for evaluation, monitoring and management of this complication are also discussed.

• Authors: G Cordero-Schmidt, M B Wallenstein, M Ozen, N A Shah, E Jackson, D M Hovsepian, J P Palma
• Journal: Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (J Perinatol) Vol. 34 Issue 9 Pg. 713-5 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1476-5543 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25179381 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ethanol

Topics

• Ethanol (adverse effects)
• Face (blood supply)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension, Pulmonary (chemically induced)
• Infant, Newborn
• Orbit (blood supply)
• Sclerotherapy (adverse effects)
• Vascular Malformations (therapy)