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Polidocanol monotherapy for a superficial orbital venous malformation in a horse.
Abstract: To describe the use of 1% polidocanol as the sole treatment for a superficial orbital venous malformation in a horse. Methods: A 23-year-old Welsh Cobb cross gelding with a distensible swelling affecting the left lower eyelid, and secondary palpebral margin abnormalities and superficial keratitis. Methods: Color flow Doppler ultrasonography revealed non-pulsatile blood flow within the tortuous vascular network most consistent with a superficial orbital venous malformation appearing to involve the lateral palpebral and transverse facial veins. An intravenous catheter was placed within the lateral aspect of the venous malformation, and agitated saline was slowly injected into the vessel while simultaneously ultrasound imaging the medial aspect in which the bubbles were observed coursing across, consistent with lateral to medial flow. Contrast venography confirmed a corkscrew vessel along the ventral aspect of the orbital rim. Under standing sedation, 1% polidocanol solution was administered slowly through the intravenous catheter while manual pressure was applied on the medial and lateral aspects of the venous malformation. Results: Ultrasonography performed immediately after administration of polidocanol confirmed venous stasis, and formation of a thrombus. No adverse side effects were noted. The venous malformation and associated palpebral margin abnormalities and superficial keratitis resolved at the time of re-examination at 4 months. Conclusions: Polidocanol as the sole treatment for a superficial orbital venous malformation in a horse was well tolerated and led to clinical resolution. Sclerosant monotherapy may be a safe treatment option for superficial orbital venous malformations.
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Ophthalmology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2022-06-01 PubMed ID: 35649115PubMed Central: PMC9543347DOI: 10.1111/vop.12997Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
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Summary
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This research explores the application of 1% polidocanol treatment for a superficial orbital venous malformation in a horse. The study found the treatment effective, causing no side-effects and leading to the resolution of the malformation.
Methodology
This study was conducted on a 23-year-old Welsh Cobb cross gelding with a swellable lump affecting the left lower eyelid. This malformation led to abnormal conditions in the eyelid margin and superficial keratitis, inflammation of the cornea. The researchers used color flow Doppler ultrasonography to reveal non-pulsatile blood flow within the deformed, winding vascular network. This vascular malformation seemed to involve the lateral palpebral and transverse facial veins.
- An intravenous (IV) catheter was inserted within the lateral part of the venous malformation, and saline solution was gradually injected into the vessel.
- The simultaneous ultrasound imaging of the medial aspect showed the saline bubbles moving across from the lateral to medial flow.
- Contrast venography affirmed the presence of a corkscrew vessel along the lower aspect of the orbital rim.
Treatment and Results
A 1% polidocanol solution was administered slowly through the intravenous catheter on the horse under standing sedation. During administration, manual pressure was applied on both medial and lateral parts of the malformation.
- Ultrasonography immediately after administration of polidocanol confirmed venous stasis.
- This resulted in the formation of a thrombus, a clot inside the blood vessel.
- No side effects were observed in the horse.
After 4 months of treatment, researchers noticed that the venous malformation and associated symptoms like palpebral margin abnormalities and superficial keratitis were resolved.
Conclusion
Based on these outcomes, the researchers concluded that polidocanol can effectively serve as the sole treatment for a superficial orbital venous malformation in horses. The results suggested that sclerosant monotherapy, a treatment involving the injection of medication into a vessel to cause it to shrink, might be a safe treatment alternative for superficial orbital venous malformations.
Cite This Article
APA
Stonex TM, Zibura AE, Andres M, Gilger BC, Oh A.
(2022).
Polidocanol monotherapy for a superficial orbital venous malformation in a horse.
Vet Ophthalmol, 25(5), 412-418.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12997 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group, New York, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Orbital Diseases / veterinary
- Polidocanol / therapeutic use
- Polyethylene Glycols
- Sclerosing Solutions / adverse effects
- Sclerosing Solutions / therapeutic use
- Sclerotherapy / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
- Veins / abnormalities
Conflict of Interest Statement
None.
References
This article includes 18 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Matthews MR, Jones KEV, Flanders H, Wotman K, Cleymaet A, Scansen BA. Attempted ablation of an orbital cyst in a dog with 1% polidocanol using fluoroscopy and contrast cystography. Vet Ophthalmol 2025 Nov;28(6):996-1000.
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