SynthesisEuropean radiology2026
Simply the (B)EST: what the interventionalist needs to know about (bleomycin) electrosclerotherapy for vascular anomalies.
Synthesis in European radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effectiveness and Safety of Bleomycin Electrosclerotherapy for Slow-Flow Vascular Malformations: A Systematic Review.Cardiovascular and interventional radiology · 2026Pooled it
- Bleomycin ElectroScleroTherapy (BEST): mechanistic parallels to electrochemotherapy, experimental models, and unresolved questions.Radiology and oncology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVascular anomalies (VAs) require specialized multidisciplinary management. Bleomycin electrosclerotherapy (B)EST combines electroporation with intralesional bleomycin to enhance drug uptake while preserving surrounding tissue. Its role in treating VAs remains largely unexplored.
objectiveThis systematic review evaluates the efficacy, safety, and procedural protocols of BEST in VA treatment. MATERIALS AND
methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed studies on (B)EST for VAs, excluding reviews, editorials, and animal studies.
resultsAmong 1237 records, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria, published between 2012 and 2025, primarily from Europe (13/15). A total of 566 patients were treated, including 445 with vascular malformations and 121 with vascular tumors (Kaposi sarcoma, angiosarcoma). (B)EST was mainly applied to slow-flow malformations. Across VA types, lesion-volume or symptom reduction rate was high, with five studies each reporting a 100% rate. Complete response in vascular tumors ranged from 65 to 100%. Most studies followed current guidelines, with bleomycin doses between 200 and 10,000 IU per session. Adverse effects were primarily local and self-limiting (Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe classification CIRSE 1a-2); ulcerations occurred mainly in vascular tumors (CIRSE 3a); and skin hyperpigmentation (CIRSE 1a) was observed frequently, often partially resolving over time.
conclusionBEST shows promise for VA treatment, particularly venous and lymphatic malformations. While results suggest efficacy and safety, treatment heterogeneity and long-term outcomes require further investigation. Optimizing tailored protocols for each VA subtype and presentation is essential for defining (B)EST's role in VA management. KEY POINTS: Question What is the role and efficacy of (bleomycin) electrosclerotherapy (B)EST in managing vascular anomalies resistant to conventional treatments, including tumors and malformations? Findings (B)EST demonstrated significant efficacy, achieving 65-100% complete responses in vascular tumors and 54.9-100% lesion or symptom reduction in vascular malformations. Clinical relevance (B)EST offers an option for patients with treatment-resistant or recurrent vascular anomalies, improving symptom-related outcomes. This is tempered by the absence of controlled trials, the need for cumulative dose pulmonary monitoring and the potential cosmetic burden of hyperpigmentation.
Indexed as
Identifiers
41128761What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.