Intra-tumoral ligation and the injection of sclerosant in the treatment of lingual cavernous haemangioma.

INTRODUCTION: Haemangiomas are developmental vascular abnormalities and more than 50% of these lesions occur in the head and neck region, with the tongue, buccal mucosa, lips and palate most commonly involve. They are considered as harmatomas rather than true neoplasms Factors such as patient's age, size and site of lesion and the proximity of lesion to vital structure are paramount in the determination of the therapeutic approach 7 surgical excision, cryotherapy, injection of feeder vessels with sclerosants and embolization of the blood vessels. CASE REPORT: We report the management of cavernous haemangioma of the tongue in a 38 year old man using intra-tumoral ligation (The Popescu Procedure) and injection of sclerosant under general anaesthesia. RESULT: The efficacy of this method lies in the fact that it obstructs the vascular channels to and from the entire tumour mass leading to progressive atrophy of the vascular endothelia, fibrous hyperplasia and the substitution of the angiomatous tissues by a fibroconnective tissue mass which initially appears excessive but remodels and produces an acceptable appearance which can be further improved by plastic surgery.
CONCLUSION: The procedure was well tolerated and the patient made excellent recovery. It is recommended in our centre where facilities for technologically demanding methods are not available.