Background: To report the mid-term outcomes of percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) performed as second-line
therapeutic option of venous vascular malformations (VVM). Methods: From 2011 to 2015, PCA was offered in 24 patients (mean age: 31 years, range: 12-64)
as second-line treatment for recurrences of symptoms after sclerotherapy and when
resection was not possible (due to lesion location or previous failure) or refused
by the patient. Adverse effects were recorded, disease-free survival (DFS) and local
tissue control (LTC) rates were calculated based on symptoms and volume evolution.
Results: Mean follow-up was 18.7 months (6-48). Nine (37.5%, 9/24) adverse effects occurred
but only three (12.5%, 3/24) were severe. Mean pain assessed by visual analogic scale
(VAS) was 41.7 mm (0-80) before treatment and 20.3 mm (0-80) (P = 0.01) after. Mean volume decreased significantly after treatment from 22.4 cm3
(0.9-146) to 8.35 cm3 (0-81.3) (P < 0.001). Pain recurred in nine patients and size of one lesion increased. The DFS
and LTC rates were 54% (95% CI: 22.94-77.27) and 93.33% (61.26-99.03) at 24 months,
respectively. Only VVM volume >10 cm3 was associated with a higher risk of local recurrence (P = 0.05). Conclusions: PCA as second-line treatment appears to be safe and effective for local control of
VVM according to mid-term results.
