Percutaneous Cryoablation of Lower Limb Soft-Tissue Venous Malformations: Preliminary Results of Long-Term Efficacy

Purpose To retrospectively evaluate long-term efficacy of percutaneous cryoablation for lower limb soft-tissue venous malformations. Materials and Methods Nine patients (mean age, 36.6 years) with lower limb soft-tissue venous malformations were included. Cryoablation was performed percutaneously using an argon-based system. Adverse events (AE) using the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs version 4.0 were evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores and lesion volumes measured on magnetic resonance imaging were also evaluated at 12 months and 5-6 years. Results Technical success (i.e., complete coverage of the lesion by an iceball) was achieved in eight of the nine patients. All patients developed a total of 14 grade 1 or 2 adverse events. The mean (+/- standard deviation) VAS score was 6.0 (+/- 1.7) before therapy, whereas it was 0.14 (+/- 0.27) at 12 months and 0.97 (+/- 1.3) at 5-6 years (58-78 months). Complete pain relief was obtained in 6 and 5 patients at 12 months and 5-6 years, respectively. The median lesion volume was 2.49 mL before therapy, whereas it was 0.26 mL at 12 months and 0.35 mL at 5-6 years. Conclusion Percutaneous cryoablation of lower limb soft-tissue venous malformations achieved considerable pain relief and lesion shrinkage for 5-6 years in this small preliminary study.