title: Long-term patient satisfaction after percutaneous treatment of peripheral vascular malformations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine long-term patient satisfaction for percutaneous treatment by using sclerosing agents (sclerotherapy) and/or arterial embolization for peripherally located vascular malformations (VMs). This treatment has been described as successful; however, there is a relative paucity of published long-term results.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was institutional review board approved; 107 patients treated for symptomatic VM were evaluated. After informed consent was obtained, 66 patients were sent a questionnaire regarding treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Patient files and imaging data were retrieved to obtain information regarding the VMs and VM treatment. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to analyze clinical success rates over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent reasons for patients to seek treatment were pain (89%, n = 59) and swelling (91%, n = 60). The majority of VMs were the low-flow venous type (83%, n = 55). Three months after treatment, clinical success was reported for 58% (n = 38) of patients and clinical failure was reported for 42% (n = 28). At 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year follow-up, clinical success was 49%, 49%, 42%, 42%, and 42%, respectively. Twenty-seven (40%) patients experienced complications, 12 of which required additional treatment. In all, 35 (53%) patients reported being satisfied with their treatment. Patient satisfaction was closely correlated with clinically successful long-term outcome of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial partial or complete relief of VM complaints after percutaneous treatment is expected in 58% of patients, irrespective of VM size or classification. These results were durable over a 5-year follow-up period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands. e.linden82@upcmail.nl
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van der Linden
authors.forename: Peter M T
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pattynama
authors.forename: Birthe C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Heeres
authors.forename: Sylvia C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Wim C J
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hop
authors.forename: Lucia J M
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kroft