Hi, how are you all? I hope you’re all well.
I was born with an AVM (Frontal, temporal & occipital lobes) on my eye.
I’ve had 5 bleomycin sclerotherapies but my eye is still the same.
Last week I went to a new hospital & saw a new Dr & Dr now wants to try bleomycin electrosclerotherapy.
This is the leaflet Dr gave me.
Electrosclerotherapy in Vascular Malformations
Introduction
Vascular malformations are congenital anomalies of the vascular system which can represent a therapeutic challenge, particularly in patients with recurrent or therapy-resistant malformations.
Current management consists of intralesional sclerotherapy techniques.
However, its effectiveness has been limited and often requires several treatment sessions.
Electrosclerotherapy is a cutting edge treatment for venous and lymphatic malformations.
Electrosclerotherapy
Electrosclerotherapy consists of the application of short term, high intensity electrical pluses that transient permeabilisation of cell membranes (reversible electroporation), thus facilitating the intercellular delivery of an otherwise poorly permeant sclerosing agent.
Reversible electroporation induces the temporary disruption of cytoskeletal structures of endothelial cells and significantly enhances the effect of the sclerosing agent. Furthermore, electrical impulses have an important immediate vascular effect (vascular lock) that reduces blood flow transiently and prevents bleeding.
How effective is electrosclerotherapy?
A recent observational study conducted in 17 patients with therapy-resistant symptomatic venous malformation showed remarkable clinic effectiveness of electrosclerotherapy, with 8 patients becoming asymptomatic and 9 patients showing improvement after treatment.
These favourable results were achieved after only one electrosclerotherapy treatment session in 88% of the patients.
The median applied dose was 3 mg, which represents an additional advantage: lowing the risk of side effects related to a high cumulative dose.
The median volume reduction following electrosclerotherapy measured on MRI images was 86%.
Beyond the limits with Electrosclerotherapy
HIGHER EFFECTIVENESS
FEWER TREATMENT SESSIONS
REDUCED DOSE OF SCLEROSING AGENT
MINIMAL SIDE EFFECTS
Hi everyone, how are you all? I hope you’re all well.
Dr just rang me & said 27th January 2026 bleomycin electrosclerotherapy.
Hey,
I hope that goes well. I know you’ve done the sclerotherapy without the electroporation, so it’ll be good to know if the electrostimulation makes a noticeable difference. I think you know that @CarloM has had some treatment with electroporation sclerotherapy: Carlo, it would be great if you could let us know or remind us how you got on.
Keep the faith, my friend, you deserve a good break.
Very best wishes,
Richard
Thank you 
@DickD
Hi, i hope you’re doing ok.
This year I was also offered the bleomycin treatment to treat a painful vascular malformation in my knee. This was at James Cook hospital, I went away to think about whether or not i wanted to proceed with the treatment..
Please keep us updated on how you get on, it sounds very promising 
fingers crossed for you
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie, how are you? I hope you’re well.
My care will be getting transferred to James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough.
Yes, I’ll update everyone on my progress.
I’m GLAD you reached out
Hi everyone.
1st procedure went successfully.
Dr will follow up & then next procedure will be in 6 months time.
Very good to hear from you. Really glad you had a good day!
Very best wishes,
Richard
I’m glad your treatment went well. I am also an AVM Facial member. Did you have any damage to facial nerves? Can you see improvement on your imaging? I am starting to look into electrosclerotheraphy. Would you mind sharing the name of the hospital and Dr. you’re working with?
Hi @maybe_amy I hope you’re well.
Thank you.
No, I haven’t had any damage to my facial nerves.
Me & my family & Dr Ratnam can see improvement. I’ve been emailing weekly pictures to Dr Ratnam.
I’m under Dr Lakshmi Ratnam at St George’s hospital in London (Tooting, South London).
Thank you for sharing. Are you experiencing many side effects from the procedure?
@maybe_amy None at all.
Hi everyone, I hope you’re all well.
Dr Ratnam rang me today & next injection will be in August/September time.
The first electrosclerotherapy injection has made a difference. I’m going to continue with it.
Doctors have always told me the bleomycin is a slow releasing medicine/drug, I just need to be extremely patient for results.
@maybe_amy Hi again Amy, I hope you’re well.
I was re reading our last conversation & after the first bleomycin electrosclerotherapy I did experience swelling (Dr Ratnam already had told me that was going to happen).
I was fine though. It was temporary & everything went back to normal.
@LifeIsSacred it is great to know that it has made a difference. I think there are one or two @Extremity AVMers who have tried electroporation sclerotherapy but the effective options for both Extremity people and @Facial people seems limited, so it’s great to hear about. Do keep us posted how you get on because it is just as important to others as it is to you.
Hope you’re doing nicely.
Very best wishes,
Richard
Hi again everyone.
My 2nd electrosclerotherapy will be on the 25th August.
The treatment is every 6 months.
Just to let everyone know, I’ve had the normal, standard bleomycin sclerotherapy (5 times) & that was every 3 months.
