A case of extensive pharyngeal vascular malformation successfully treated with Kampo medicine

Objective

To present the efficacy of Japanese-traditional medicine (Kampo) for a case with vascular malformation.

Methods

A case study and literature review.

Patient

A 62-year-old female presented with dysphagia and spitting blood. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a longitudinal lobulated and septated mass in the posterior pharynx. On MR imaging, the mass showed hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and heterogeneous enhancement on Gadlinium-enhanced T1-weighted images, suggestive of a low-flow vascular malformation.

Intervention

According to the Kampo diagnosis, kamisyouyousan and ninjinyoueito were prescribed to this patient. The effect of Kampo medicine was evaluated with improvement of her symptoms and volumetry of MRI findings.

Result

The longitudinal pharyngeal mass was markedly decreased and her symptoms disappeared after 2 years of Kampo administration.

Conclusions

Kampo medicine can be a novel alternative therapy for VM.