ABSTRACT
Venous malformations (VMs) are the most common vascular malformations. The usual indications for treatment include pain, swelling, disfigured mass, and bleeding. Sclerotherapy is generally accepted as the major therapeutic tool for the focal or localized VMs, and ethanol, foam sclerosing agents, and bleomycin have been the most frequently used sclerosing agents. Sclerotherapy of VM using ethanol is most effective but is associated with high local complications such as skin necrosis and nerve injury. Ethanol should be reserved for the deeper located lesion like intramuscular VM and lesions with no important nerves around. Sclerotherapy of VM with foam sclerosing agents or bleomycin is also effective and recommended for the superficial lesion, lesions near nerves, lesions near vital structures, and lesions prone to delayed muscle contracture.
