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Purpose: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and predictors of response of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) to treat hepatic hemangiomas (HHs)., Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of consecutive HH patients who received TAE with bleomycin-Lipiodol emulsion and gelatin sponge particles at three institutions from January 2014 to January 2021. TAE effectiveness was defined as more than 50% reduction of tumor volume. The effectiveness, safety, and CT changes of hemangiomas after TAE were assessed. Factors affecting TAE efficacy on tumor size were analyzed with logistic regression analysis., Results: A total of 102 patients with 109 HHs were included. After treatment, both the tumor diameter and volume were significantly reduced from 8.5 ± 3.9 to 5.9 ± 3.8 cm (P < 0.001) and 412.6 ± 742.3 cm 3 to 102.0 ± 232.7 cm 3 (P < 0.001), respectively. TAE effectiveness was achieved in 80.7% (88/109) of hemangiomas, which was characterized by progressive reduction in tumor volume over time with Lipiodol retention. Atypical enhancement pattern (tiny enhancing dots in the hepatic arterial and portal venous phase) (p = 0.001) and central arterioportal shunt (APS) (p = 0.002) associated with the tumor were independent predictors of TAE ineffectiveness. Postembolization syndrome and transient increase in liver enzymes were common without severe complications and death., Conclusion: TAE was safe and effective in reducing HH size. Lesion enhancement pattern and APS type were associated with TAE efficacy on tumor shrinkage., Level of Evidence: Level 3, non-controlled retrospective cohort study., (© 2024. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE).)

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common vascular tumor in infancy. Although IHs can regress spontaneously, some problematic IHs still need treatment. However, either treated or untreated IHs may leave skin sequelae which can cause permanent disfigurement. Many studies evaluated the short-term efficacy of different kinds of treatment, but now, few studies are focusing on long-term skin sequelae. The objectives of our systemic review were to identify skin sequelae of IH thoroughly, determine specific factors associated with long-term IH sequelae, and learn how to improve these sequelae. We searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Three independent authors assessed the articles, and we reported this systemic review following PRISMA guidelines. Of 4448 articles initially identified, 62 underwent full-text review, and 17 met inclusion criteria. The overall rate of sequelae ranged from 5.3 to 93.5%. Factors associated with skin sequelae included patients' demographics, hemangioma characteristics, and treatment factors. What is Known: • Infantile hemangioma is the most common vascular tumor during infancy. • Infantile hemangiomas can regress spontaneously but either treated or untreated patients may leave permanent skin sequelae. What is New: • Skin sequelae in involuted Infantile hemangiomas are very common. • It is significant to prevent, recognize, and improve skin sequelae of infantile hemangiomas., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Epithelioid hemangioma is a rare, histologically benign but locally aggressive primary vascular neoplasm that can rarely arise in bone. Mainstay treatment is surgical resection or curettage with bone grafting. We report a novel multidisciplinary, joint-sparing treatment approach for an epithelioid hemangioma of bone arising in the acetabulum causing severe thinning of the subchondral bone plate. After 4 sessions of transarterial bland particle and ethanol embolization, the resultant increased ossification of the tumor allowed preservation of the articular surface during surgical resection. Imaging follow-up 14 months after surgical resection showed no evidence of recurrence and continued ossification of the portions of the lesion treated only with embolization., (© 2022. ISS.)

Background: A multitude of vascular anomalies exist and can lead to severe complications. Treatment can be complex., Objective: This overview aims to provide important information for the management of vascular anomalies., Materials and Methods: In addition to current literature, experiences from the interdisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Center in Marburg were included in this review., Results: Hemangiomas at critical sites, arteriovenous malformations, and vascular anomalies of uncertain etiology require particular attention., Conclusion: Self-help and support groups, specialized interdisciplinary centers, scientific medical societies, and networks can provide help for the treatment of vascular anomalies., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To evaluate the current evidence for the effectiveness of transarterial embolization (TAE) in treatment of symptomatic hepatic hemangiomas., Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases to identify studies of hepatic hemangiomas treated with transarterial embolization. Main outcome was defined as the mean difference between pre- and post-TAE hemangioma diameters. Treatment agents were categorized as Lipiodol based [bleomycin (L + BE), pingyangmycin (L + PYG) or ethanol (L + ethanol)] and non-Lipiodol based (polyvinyl-alcohol-only). Conventional random-effect meta-analysis technique was applied to analyze data., Results: Of 3080 initially inspected publications, 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis comprising of 1450 patients with total of 1871 hemangiomas (36.2% male, mean age: 46.3 ± 3.6 years). One hundred and twenty-six, 1666, 41 and 38 lesions were treated with L + BE, L + PYG, L + ethanol and PVA, respectively. Median follow-up time after embolization was 12 months. Lipiodol-based treatments showed significant effect in reducing hemangioma size after TAE compared to PVA (P < 0.001). Pooled diameter reduction (cm) (95% confidence interval) was - 4.37( - 5.32, - 3.42), - 4.70( - 5.70, - 3.71), - 0.93( - 2.02, 0.16) for overall TAE treatment, Lipiodol-based and non-Lipiodol-based treatments, respectively. Main complications included post-embolization syndrome and transient liver enzyme elevation (pooled incidence for Lipiodol-based and non-Lipiodol-based techniques: 36% and 33%; and 37% and 0, respectively). No fatal complications were reported. Symptomatic improvement was reported in 63.3%-100% of the cases with majority of studies (15/21) reporting improvement in all cases (pooled response rate: 98%)., Conclusions: Transarterial embolization with bleomycin, pingyangmycin or ethanol in combination with Lipiodol is safe and associated with reduced size of hemangiomas resulting in symptoms alleviation.

Infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH) is a common vascular tumor, distinctive for its perinatal presentation, rapid growth during the first year of life, and subsequent involution. Although they generally follow a benign course, some tumors have been reported to undergo malignant transformation. The diagnosis of IHH is based on patient's medical history, physical examination, and imaging. Moreover, the management of this vascular tumor is based on clinical presentation and includes observational, medical, surgical, and radiological interventional treatment options. The present review presents the currently available data in the literature on the diverse aspects of the terminology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, indications for surgery, malignant potential, and long-term outcomes of these tumors.Conclusion: No formal guidelines have yet been established for the treatment of these hepatic lesions, and the therapeutic strategies implemented vary widely from simple observation to medical, radiological, and surgical interventions in the prism of multidisciplinary teams.What is Known:• Infantile hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver in infancy, but despite its benign nature, it can present with life-threatening complications.• The treatment strategies range from simple observation to a series of medical, surgical, and radiological interventions.What is New:• This review gives an overview of the developments and current status about the management of IHH.• The aim of this study is to clear up the confusion and controversy that exists about terminology, diagnosis, and treatment of IHH.

Background: Transarterial (chemo-)embolization/lipiodolization (TAE/TAL) might be an attractive minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the treatment of symptomatic hepatic haemangioma. This review assesses the efficacy and safety of TAE/TAL as primary treatment for symptomatic hepatic haemangioma., Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed by two reviewers following the PRISMA guidelines. Cohort studies and case reports were identified; outcomes of cohort studies were reported. The primary efficacy outcome was tumour size before and after TAE/TAL. Improvement of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) were secondary outcomes; the primary safety outcome was complications. The Downs and Black statement was used for quality assessment., Results: Eighteen cohort studies were identified, including 1284 patients. TAE/TAL led to a decrease in tumour size in 1100/1223 (89.9%) patients and to improvement or disappearance of symptoms in 1080/1096 (98.5%) patients. A significant decrease in tumour size from 9.79 ± 0.79 cm to 4.00 ± 1.36 cm (p < 0.001) was shown. Grade 3 complications occurred in 37/1284 (2.9%) patients. Surgical treatment was necessary in 35/1284 (2.7%) of patients., Conclusion: TAE/TAL appears to be a promising and safe treatment to decrease tumour size of hepatic haemangioma. The technique might also provide partial relief of symptoms, although no randomized clinical trials or prospective studies using validated QoL questionnaires are available. TAE/TAL may be considered as a viable alternative to resection.

Background: Large hepatic hemangiomas can cause symptoms such as pain and bleeding. No consensus currently exists on the optimal management of large and symptomatic hemangiomas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of transarterial bleomycin-lipiodol embolization (B/LE) in the treatment of symptomatic large hepatic hemangioma., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients (29 hemangiomas) treated between July 2011 and August 2017. Transarterial B/LE was performed using 7-15 cc of Lipiodol mixed with 30-45 IU of bleomycin by standard three-way stopcocks. All patients were followed clinically and by imaging for an average of 7.5 months. Patterns of bleomycin-lipiodol distribution in the periphery of hemangiomas were categorized into four different grades. Technical success was defined as proper delivery of bleomycin-lipiodol into the hemangioma confirmed by post-embolization computed tomography. Clinical success was defined as more than 50% reduction of hemangioma volume and symptom improvement during follow-ups., Results: Technical success and clinical success were 100 and 73.9% (17 patients), respectively. Six patients (26.08%) experienced transient post-embolization syndrome. Significant size reduction was seen in patients with grade 4 hemangioma border coverage (P = 0.042)., Conclusion: Transarterial B/LE is a safe and efficient alternative for controlling symptoms related to large hemangiomas.

An asymptomatic 48-year-old man presented with multiple aneurysms in a primary racemose hemangioma of the right bronchial artery. Bronchial arteriography revealed a tortuous artery with four fusiform aneurysms of varying sizes and aneurysmal dilatation with marked thrombus formation in the long segment of the distal portion. Because the tip of catheter could not pass beyond the aneurysmal dilatation, we performed balloon-occluded embolization using a mixture of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and iodized oil. For four other aneurysms, we performed embolization using a coil alone or with NBCA. After 6 months, right bronchial arteriography revealed no enhancement of the aneurysms. Despite the rarity of this procedure, embolization with NBCA is a good option for bronchial artery aneurysm embolization.

Background: Tufted angiomas (TAs) are uncommon benign vascular tumors mostly located cutaneously or subcutaneously in the skin of the neck and upper trunk, which appear during childhood and grow slowly. TAs are a variant of lobular capillary hemangiomas. This is the first study to provide an overview of the current literature in combination with the authors' own clinical experience on this rare entity in the head and neck area with non-dermatological localization., Methods: A selective Medline and Google Scholar database search was performed. Additionally, we conducted an ICD-10-based database search on hemangiomas (D18.0) in the Charité SAP patient records., Results: We identified 13 reports in the literature consisting of 16 cases of TA of the head and neck. Males were predominantly affected by TAs (70.6%). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 31.5 years; the mean maximum diameter of the tumors was 16.3 mm. Additionally, we report on one case of TA in our Department of Head and Neck Surgery. A male patient presented with swelling and redness of the left upper eyelid. Radiological examination with computed tomography showed a suprabulbar tumor with a diameter of 13 mm. The tumor was surgically removed via a transcutaneous blepharoplasty approach with the patient under general anesthesia., Discussion: There is only one other case report on the surgical excision of an intra-orbital TA described to date. Here, we present an epidemiological overview, therapeutic considerations, and differential diagnoses.

Congenital and acquired vascular anomalies are common in childhood. In addition to predominantly harmless vascular skin alterations there are others which must be immediately treated due to the potentially threatening complications. As examples three anomalies and the typical complications are presented. Hemangiomas in infancy can make urgent treatment necessary because they can be complicated by obstruction or painful ulceration. Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma can lead to a life-threatening consumption coagulopathy. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome can be complicated by thrombosis, localized coagulopathy, and superinfections.

Unlabelled: With a prevalence of 2.6-4.5 %, infantile haemangiomas (IH) represent the most common tumour of infancy. While the majority of IH does not require therapy and regresses spontaneously, about 10 % of IH exhibit complications such as obstruction, ulceration or disfigurement. With the advent of oral propranolol, many conventional treatment options have become obsolete. This paper summarizes current recommendations for management of complicated IH. These recommendations have been written by an expert group after a consensus process including bibliographic review, several drafts of synthesis, meetings with quantitative voting system and redaction of an approved final manuscript., Conclusion: Oral propranolol is the first-line agent for the treatment of complicated IH., What Is Known: • Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are the most common tumours of infancy. Within a very short period after its discovery and long before the publication of randomized controlled trials, propranolol has become the number one agent for the treatment of complicated IH. What is New: • We report IH treatment recommendations of an international, interdisciplinary team of experts, based on an up-to-date review of the literature.

Purpose: The management of patients with giant haemangioma of the liver remains controversial. Although the usual treatment method for symptomatic giant haemangioma is surgery, the classical paradigm of operative resection remains. In this study, we evaluated the symptomatic improvement and size-reduction effect of embolisation with bleomycin mixed with lipiodol for the treatment of symptomatic giant hepatic haemangioma., Methods: This study included 26 patients [21 female, five male; age 41-65 years (mean 49.83 ± 1.53)] with symptomatic giant haemangioma unfit for surgery and treated with selective embolisation by bleomycin mixed with lipiodol. The patients were followed-up (mean 7.4 ± 0.81 months) clinically and using imaging methods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0, and p < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance., Results: Embolisation of 32 lesions in 26 patients was performed. The mean volume of the haemangiomas was 446.28 ± 88 cm(3) (range 3.39-1559 cm(3)) before intervention and 244.43 ± 54.38 cm(3) (range 94-967 cm(3)) after intervention. No mortality or morbidity related to the treatment was identified. Symptomatic improvement was observed in all patients, and significant volume reduction was achieved (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: The morbidity of surgical treatment in patients with giant liver hemangioma were similar to those obtained in patients followed-up without treatment. Therefore, follow-up without treatment is preferred in most patients. Thus, minimally invasive embolisation is an alternative and effective treatment for giant symptomatic haemangioma of the liver.

The authors investigated the efficacy of photodynamic therapy against infantile hemangioma using a hemangioma animal model. Eighty-three hemangioma specimens from five children were implanted into nude mice. The gross and volume changes of the implants were evaluated for up to 13 weeks. The histological change of the implant was evaluated at 5 weeks after transplantation. Photodynamic therapy was performed between 6 and 10 weeks after transplantation. The photosensitizer uptake of the implant was evaluated at 24 h after photosensitizer administration. The implant response was evaluated at 0, 12, and 24 h after light delivery. The change in ATF3 levels, a transcription factor induced under severe hypoxic conditions, was investigated immediately after treatment. The implant volume increased slowly during the first 4 weeks and then involuted. At 5 weeks after transplantation, plump endothelial cells formed tightly packed sinusoidal channels, and the endothelial cells were positive for CD31 and GLUT1 expression. At 24 h after photosensitizer administration, confocal analysis showed that the photosensitizer was present within CD31-positive cells. The implant volume was significantly decreased in the treated implants compared with the untreated implants (p < 0.0001). At 24 h after light delivery, most cells had collapsed. ATF3 expression increased gradually and then reached a maximum level at 4 h after treatment. Photodynamic therapy was effective in the treatment of infantile hemangioma. Apoptosis, a major mechanism of hemangioma destruction in the early phase, might be caused by ischemic injury as well as direct effects of photodynamic therapy.

Since the introduction of abdominal ultrasound liver lesions have been increasingly detected. Being usually diagnosed by chance these lesions create psychological stress among patients because a potential malignant disease has to be taken into consideration. The increasing use of oral contraceptives with high estrogen doses starting in the 1980s led to a rising incidence of adenomas, whose natural history differed from those described in surgical and autoptic studies. This fact brought about a change towards a modern pathophysiologic and prognostic differentiation. Current histologic and molecular biological techniques are able to distinguish benign adenomas from those with malignant potential.

With a prevalence of 10–12% infantile hemangiomas (IH) represent the most common skin tumor in infancy. They are characterized by a sequence of growth and, in 90%, spontaneous regression. Special manifestations of IH include hemangiomatosis, congenital hemangioma (RICH/NICH), reticular and segmental hemangiomas (PHACE, PELVIS/SACRAL syndrome). The latter represent a transition between vascular tumor and vascular malformation. Important differential diagnoses of IH include pyogenic granuloma (PG) and hemangioendothelioma (HAE) of which PG is a common, benign vascular tumor with a predilection for the facial region and a proneness to bleed whereas HAE is a slowly growing tumor exhibiting infiltrative growth; unlike IH it is associated with the Kasabach-Merritt syndrome of consumptive coagulopathy. The majority of IHs do not require therapy, however, therapy is absolutely indicated for ulcerating or obstructive IH where propranolol is considered the first-line therapy. Non-obstructive facial IH represents a relative indication for therapy. Cryotherapy is most suitable for IH with diameters below 1 cm and a depth < 4 mm.

The Mulliken and Glowacki classification (1982) differentiated vascular anomalies into two groups based on their endothelial characteristics: hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Vascular anomalies are localized defects of the vasculature that affect a limited number of vessels in a restricted area of the body. These defects are secondary to errors in vascular morphogenesis. Depending on the type of vessel involved, the vascular malformation group was subdivided into high-flow (such as arteriovenous malformation and arteriovenous fistula) and low-flow lesions (such as venous and lymphatic malformations). Depending on the type of lesion, the location and degree of involvement and the clinical effect, different types of treatment would be required. For the purpose of this review, we concentrate solely on vascular malformations: the clinical features, genetics, diagnosis, and current treatment options.

Vascular lesions of the scrotum are uncommon; the most common among them are varicocele lesions. The other vascular lesions that may involve the scrotum are hemangioma, lymphangioma, and arteriovenous malformations, which are exceedingly rare. The imaging modalities useful in the diagnosis and management of scrotal vascular lesions are grayscale sonography, color Doppler sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and digital subtraction angiography. We present two cases of scrotal vascular lesions involving the extratesticular scrotal soft tissues. Patients presented with bleeding and were treated by radiological interventional technique. We emphasize the importance of superselective catheterization and distal embolization.

PHACES association is a spectrum of anomalies that might occur in infants with large facial hemangiomas. Most infants with PHACES association have segmental hemangiomas of the head or neck. Cardiac and cerebrovascular anomalies might be the most important association, as they carry a significant risk of complications. This article summarizes the dermatologic, cardiac, and cerebral vascular findings in a cohort of infants diagnosed with PHACES association. All had large segmental facial hemangiomas and aortic arch abnormalities. Four of the five were not suspected of having arch obstruction prior to imaging studies because of the aberrant origin of both subclavian arteries, and 4/5 required either interventional or surgical repair for arch obstruction. In contrast to classic aortic coarctation, the aortic anomalies found in the cohort had unusually complex and unpredictable anatomic involvement. Cerebral vascular anomalies were identified in 5/5, and 2/5 had neurologic complications secondary to abnormal cerebral vascular supply. It is important for care providers to recognize this association that presents with a cutaneous stigma, as it is associated with potentially lethal and often unrecognized vascular anomalies. Earlier recognition of the associated vascular pathologies might enable preemptive treatments before potentially devastating and irreversible sequelae.

Vertebral hemangiomas occasionally involve the neural arch and they can be symptomatic. We report a case of symptomatic vertebral hemangioma mainly involving the unilateral neural arch which was successfully treated with percutaneous pediculoplasty using a single-needle technique.

The treatment of paediatric patients with extended vascular anomalies in the head and neck requires a multidisciplinary approach involving paediatricians, maxillofacial surgeons, dermatologists and radiologists. Therapeutic strategies are based on an internationally accepted classification of vascular anomalies, which distinguishes haemangiomas and vascular malformations. Whereas haemangiomas are endothelial proliferations, vascular malformations are considered to be developmental anomalies which are classified into high-flow or low-flow lesions and, according to their vascular channels, into capillary, lymphatic or venous malformations. In this review we present guidelines for the diagnostic assessment of paediatric patients with vascular anomalies in the head and neck region. The indications for treatment are discussed and therapeutic options are outlined.

Purpose: In this study we report a percutaneous technique to achieve sclerosis of vertebral hemangioma and decompression of the spinal cord and nerve roots., Methods: Under CT guidance the affected vertebral body is punctured by a biopsy needle and sclerosant is injected directly into the tumor. In the case of large paravertebral extension, additional injection is given in the paravertebral soft tissue component to induce shrinkage of the whole tumor mass and release of the compressed spinal cord., Results: Using this technique we treated five patients in whom vertebral hemangioma gave rise to neurologic symptoms. In three patients, sclerotherapy was the only treatment given. In the other two patients, sclerotherapy was preceded by transcatheter embolization. Neither decompressive surgery, radiation therapy nor stabilization was required with this technique., Conclusion: Our experience with CT-guided intraosseous sclerotherapy has proved highly satisfactory.

Today the management of hemangiomas is still a great challenge for physicians, even for the most experienced of clinicians. With the introduction of lasers, new ways of treating hemangiomas have been found. Four case reports document the importance of early treatment. In addition, the differentiated use of various laser systems and their effects, limitations, and side effects are shown and discussed.

Unlabelled: The records of 24 patients with severe intractable non-traumatic epistaxis were reviewed to evaluate the efficacy of embolism therapy., Material and Method: The histories of 17 patients with idiopathic epistaxis, 6 patients with Osler-Rendu-Weber disease and 1 patient with a high-flow angioma were analyzed. All patients were treated by means of percutaneous embolization of the maxillary artery and its branches., Results: In 5/17 patients with idiopathic epistaxis repeat embolization was necessary in 5 cases, while permanent hemostasis was achieved in 16/17 patients with embolism alone. Five of the 6 patients with Osler-Rendu-Weber disease labelled stage III before treatment were managed successfully with repeated embolizations, while all cases were reduced to stage I disease. The high-flow angioma was successfully ablated after embolization combined with direct injection of thrombosing material and laser resection.

Unlabelled: We report a 2-month-old Japanese boy presenting with large multiple haemangiomas invading his liver. He was treated with daily subcutaneous injection of interferon alfa (IFN-alpha)-2a with progressive reduction of the hepatic haemangioma. He developed a scrotal mass 2 months after discontinuation of IFN, and this mass eventually required surgical management. Resected tumour was a juvenile haemangioma. The escape of this haemangioma from IFN therapy may be correlated to the quite low level of injected IFN in testis., Conclusion: IFN therapy may not be curative for testicular haemangioma although it is effective in shrinking haemangiomas of the liver and skin.

Patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) are usually young at the time of diagnosis with a mean age of 32 years. These patients are in a crucial phase of their lives, starting a family and establishing a professional position. Facing a relative annual risk of 2 to 3% for a severe hemorrhage which cumulates to a 50% risk of hemorrhage over the next four decades of their lives, these patients have to make the decision about possible treatment of their cAVM. Advice can only be given to the patients on an individual basis because there are almost no two identical lesions. Nevertheless, based on a grading system and within established treatment regimens, risk estimations are possible and particularly with close neuroradiological/neurosurgical cooperation these risks can be defined and minimized. In this context we report a series of 184 patients with cAVMs which were taken care of at the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology at the University of Hamburg between February 1988 and July 1996 and who were treated according to a standardized joint protocol with interventional and microsurgical options.

We report a rare combination of multiple hemangiomas and coarctation of the aorta in a 2-month-old female infant who responded to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy. The coarctation was repaired successfully with the use of an artificial graft. In patients with symptomatic hemangiomas that do not respond to steroid therapy, IFN-alpha therapy should be considered.

A case of diffuse neonatal haemangiomatosis involving the skin, liver, lungs, adrenals, gums, diaphragm, skull, and testes is reported. Intra-uterine onset of bleeding led to bloody amniotic fluid, severe anaemia, congestive heart failure, and hydrops fetalis. Intractable coagulopathy and renal failure resulted in persistent bleeding, anuria, metabolic acidosis, and hyperkalaemia, leading to a fatal outcome.

In a young patient with spinal angioma, the diagnosis was not established until the fourth episode of bleeding. Exemplified by this case, the clinical symptomatology of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage is described, and the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are reviewed. In patients with SAH it is necessary to look for spinal symptoms, especially if cerebral angiography proves negative. In diagnosing a spinal SAH priority should be given to myelography and/or MRT, followed by spinal angiography.

On the basis of two case reports of occult vascular malformation of the pons that had been followed since the first clinical manifestation, clinical picture, diagnosis using modern imaging methods (especially magnetic resonance imaging--MRI) and therapy of this disease are discussed. In addition to a precise localization diagnosis based on typical scans of varying signal intensity, particularly after bleeding, MRI also allows a preoperative qualitative identification of the lesion and provides important information about the dynamics of the process. Further experience with this uncommon clinical category will improve the early diagnosis and selection of an adequate therapy because the technique of stereotactic radiotherapy (gamma-knife) appears to be most suitable.

Nineteen aneurysmal bone cysts and five angiomas of bone were treated by selective arterial embolization. The median follow-up was 22 months. In 17 patients healing occurred with complete relief of symptoms; in 11 of these almost complete ossification of the lesion resulted. In the remaining cases, little or no ossification was apparent but ossification may take 1 year or more to occur. No recurrence was observed in any of these cases. Recurrence occurred only in two cases. In one, growth of the recurrence stopped after a second embolization, and the X-rays showed no change. Selective arterial embolization represents a treatment of choice in aneurysmal bone cyst and angioma of bone especially of the spine, sacrum, or pelvis. In these sites embolization replaces surgery which might be hazardous due to intraoperative bleeding.

The clinicopathological features of five fatal cases of diffuse haemangiomatosis presenting in neonatal life or early infancy are presented. The infants all had multiple skin haemangiomas as well as deep-seated lesions in many different tissues that caused protean clinical manifestations and management problems. Because the outlook may be improved by early diagnosis and application of new modes of treatment, any infant with multiple cutaneous haemangiomas should be closely assessed for possible visceral involvement. Development of hepatomegaly, high-output cardiac failure, unexplained anaemia or thrombocytopenia in these infants should immediately suggest disseminated disease. Early recognition with implementation of steroid and/or antiangiogenic therapy, embolization and/or surgery is essential to improve the chances of survival.

Lasers are used increasingly in dermatology. The use of different laser types for various indications is discussed. Nevi and benign vessel tumors, tattoos, condylomata acuminata, hypertrophic scars, and keloids are indications for laser therapy. The application of lasers in the treatment of malignant tumors, such as malignant melanoma or malignant vessel tumors, is discussed. Finally, the stimulating effects of laser light with low energy density on wound healing is mentioned.

Arteriovenous fistulas associated with an angioma are characterized by a relatively fast growth. Therapy consists in operative removal of the entire angioma. This often means partial amputation of extremities. An embolization of the angioma, as in an observed patient can prevent further progression. A disfiguring operation can be delayed or possibly even avoided.

A 35-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis and known bilateral renal angiomyolipomas presented with shock due to massive hematuria arising from the left kidney. The cause of bleeding was diagnosed angiographically as arising from a left upper pole renal artery aneurysm within the tumor. Cessation of bleeding and clinical stabilization occurred without deterioration of renal function after superselective embolization of the dorsal segmental renal artery with a single 5-mm Gianturco coil.

Vascular malformations of the skin, such as angiomatous naevi (haemangiomas) are discussed in the present paper. Haemangiomas can be differentiated by histology into "capillary" and "cavernous" types. Therapy should be very conservative because about 95% of all haemangiomas in childhood tend to involute spontaneously. Active treatment is necessary for complications, such as bleeding or ulceration, the Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, or tumours at special sites such as the eyelid, lips etc. Conservative treatment includes steroids and embolisation by fibrin. Surgery includes the largely forgotten magnesium seed treatment first described 90 years ago; 99.8% pure magnesium foil and wires 0.5 and 1.0 mm thick were implanted into nine haemangiomas. Fibrosis and tumour regression were observed in seven cases: two further cases are still under treatment.

Technical performance, radiological findings as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic significance of superselective cerebral angiographies, performed with a telescopic catheter system, and consecutive embolizations are described in pathologic lesions in the vascular area of the human external carotid artery. In 46 patients vascular malformations (angiomas, fistulas) and vascular tumors (angiofibromas) as well as other tumors (glomus tumors, meningeomas) were demonstrated by angiographies of distal external carotid branches; in further 16 patients there were normal angiographic findings. It is shown by examples that superselective cerebral angiographies fulfill microangiographic properties. Pathological findings of vascular malformations and tumors were demonstrated which could not have been shown with other examination techniques. Besides the improved and more detailed diagnostic information these superselective angiographies of external carotid branches enabled successful embolizations of pathologic lesions by gelfoam-injections or selective occlusions of branches feeding angiomas or tumors by silicone polymerization. These embolizations were not done in patients with arterio-venous fistulas (9). The clinical application, limitations and further development of cerebral embolization techniques are discussed.

A patient with multinodular haemangiomatosis of the liver, rapidly deteriorating in the first weeks of life due to severe progressive congestive heart failure, was successfully treated by hepatic artery catheter embolisation at the age of 6 weeks.

This paper describes the successful therapy of cavernous and capillary haemangiomata by inducing thrombosis with Tissucol homologous fibrinogen and thrombin. After angiography, infants and small children were injected with Tissucol directly into the vascular convolution at two weekly intervals, resulting in complete thrombosis with subsequent fibrosis, leading to diminution of the haemangioma until it finally disappeared. Histological examination showed fibrosis and sclerosis, with granular tissue rich in fibrinoblasts as a manifestation of a partially organised thrombosis. There were no traces of inflammation. In a large number of adults, reduction of the haemangioma was successfully achieved by injections of Tissucol, leading to thrombosis, followed by immediate surgical removal of the entire haemangioma. Treatment of small haemangiomata by cryosurgical measures with liquid nitrogen, as recommended by Lexer in 1921, was likewise successfully applied.