Results of the Treatment Vascular Anomalies with the 5 ALA Induced Photodynamic Therapy

This study reports the role of photodynamic therapy in the management of vascular anomalies. A 3-year (2009-2012) retrospective study on the challenges and outcome of two hundred forty five patients with vascular anomalies referred for surgical management was undertaken at the Tashkent Medical Academy, Uzbekistan. After multidisciplinary discussion, all patients underwent photodynamic therapy under general anesthesia, with 5-ALA as the photosensitising agent. In a time of treatment by eighty five out of one hundred and eight patients, who presented with long-term pain, reported improvement after treatment. Also, 43/46 reported significant reduction of bleeding related to their vascular anomaly. Improvement of swelling was reported by 189/199 patients; while reduction of infection episodes was evident in 61/63 patients and 176/205 reported reduction in the disfigurement caused by their pathology. Clinical assessment showed that more than half of the patients had 'good response' to the treatment. Significant clinical response was reported by 148 (60, 4%) patients, moderate result by 70 (28, 6%). Radiological and ultrasound assessment comparing imaging 6-week post-laser and PDT to the baseline showed moderate response in 78 (31, 8%) patients and significant response in 122 (49, 8%) patients.