Sclerotherapy refers to a procedure used to treat malformations of the blood vessels and lymphatic system including hemangiomas, AVMs and venolymphatic malformations. A sclerosant medication (many different ones can be used) is injected from the skin into the abnormal vessels, and this produces an inflammatory/fibrotic reaction. The inflammatory reaction will help cause shrinkage or disappearance of the malformation. Often sclerotherapy is used in combination with open surgery. Sclerotherapy is performed not just in the head and neck but also elsewhere throughout the body.
