Tackling Lip Hemangioma in Adults with Polidocanol Sclerotherapy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Hemangiomas are the most common benign vascular tumors of the first decade of life and are rarely seen in adults. 60% to 70% of these tumors are found in the head and neck region, with oral hemangiomas being more uncommon. Hemangiomas are characterized by a proliferative growth phase that is followed by a very slow inevitable regression or involution phase. The literature reports a variety of therapeutic options for head and neck hemangiomas, such as medical management, cryotherapy, isotope radiation therapy, sclerotherapy (bleomycin, steroids), lasers, and surgery. The best course of action for every given patient is still the subject of debate. Sclerotherapy alone, or in combination has shown promising results. Polidocanol is a detergent-based solution that functions as a sclerosant by inducing localized inflammation and fibrosis. It is also an anesthetic and antipruritic agent. In this article, we describe a unique instance of a lip hemangioma in a geriatric patient and our experience with polidocanol sclerotherapy.