Use of percutaneous foam sclerotherapy with 1.5% sodium tetradecyl sulfate for treatment of a pelvic limb venous malformation in a dog

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 256; no. 12; pp. 1368 - 1374
• Main Authors: Chang, Stephany, Weisse, Chick, Berent, Allyson C, Rosen, Robert J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15-06-2020
• Subjects: Animals; Arteriovenous Malformations - therapy; Arteriovenous Malformations - veterinary; Cysts - veterinary; Dog Diseases - drug therapy; Dogs; Female; Sclerosing Solutions - therapeutic use; Sclerotherapy - veterinary; Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/JAVMA.256.12.1368

A 6-year-old 17-kg (37.4-lb) spayed female mixed-breed dog was evaluated because of swelling and intermittent lameness of the right pelvic limb and perianal and vulvar bleeding caused by a suspected arteriovenous malformation.
The right pelvic limb had a diffuse, raised, cobblestone-like appearance with lameness, edema, and multifocal ulcerations. The abdominal skin had multifocal circular erythematous lesions, the perianal region was erythematous, and the vestibule had superficial distended vessels. Ultrasonography and CT did not reveal the presence of an arteriovenous malformation; however, digital subtraction venography confirmed the presence of a venous malformation (VM) throughout the limb.
A mixture of foam sclerosant (1.5% sodium tetradecyl sulfate) and contrast medium was agitated with air and injected percutaneously into the VM. The dog received an injection of corticosteroid solution, and a soft-padded bandage was applied to the limb for 3 days. Six weeks later, the dog would intermittently hop when running, and the limb was mildly edematous with ecchymotic lesions; the swelling and lameness had improved considerably. Perianal and vulvar bleeding and dilation of the vestibular vessels had resolved. At 21 months after the procedure, examination revealed no right pelvic limb lameness related to the VM; only small cyst-like lesions and edema around the tarsus remained.
The favorable clinical outcome for this dog for a 21-month period after treatment of a pelvic limb VM with foam sclerotherapy has suggested that foam sclerotherapy may be used to successfully treat limb VMs in some dogs.