The development of flagellate hyperpigmentation after use of bleomycin for sclerotherapy slow flow vascular malformations

Abstract

Introduction. Bleomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic that is used as a sclerosing agent for sclerotherapy of vascular anomalies. Bleomycin is characterized by complications: nausea, vomiting, fever, the development of allergies/anaphylaxis, skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation), damage to lung tissue.Aim. To study the frequency of hyperpigmentation after administration of bleomycin for sclerotherapy of vascular malformations with slow flow characteristics. To present our own clinical observation of the development of skin hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy of venous malformation with bleomycin.Materials and methods. A systematic review was conducted in foreign (PubMed, Web Of Science, Google Scholar, Scirus) and domestic databases (eLibrary) for the period from 2012 to 2022. As a result of the selection, 17 full-text articles remained suitable for their inclusion in the analysis.Results. In the first part of the review, 12 articles were analyzed, describing clinical observations of the development of “flaggelate” hyperpigmentation after chemotherapy of various neoplasms. In the second part of the review, an analysis of 4 articles describing clinical observations of the development of hyperpigmentation after intralesional administration of bleomycin into vascular malformation in 19 patients was carried out. Discussion. The occurrence of specific “flaggelate” hyperpigmentation after administration of bleomycin for sclerotherapy of vascular anomalies with slow flow characteristics is a rare complication. In the analysis carried out, there is no clear connection between the occurrence of hyperpigmentation and excess dosage.Conclusion. To prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation, it is necessary to avoid excessive traumatization on time and immediately after sclerotherapy, including with ECG electrodes; avoid excessive oxygenation during the provision of anesthesia; it is necessary to avoid excessive insolation within 24–48 hours after sclerotherapy.

Keywords

• bleomycin
• dosage
• hyperpigmentation
• venous malformation
• lymphatic malformation