Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2003 May; 23(5): 341-3.

[Observation on effect of electro-acupuncture in treating maxillofacial hemangioma]

Zhang W, Xin YL, Zhao HC.

Department of Electro-Chemical Therapy of Tumor, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) in treating maxillofacial hemangioma (MFH). METHODS: The platinum needles (electrode) were inserted into the MFH under location and guidance with B-ultrasonography or CT, with the number of needles used according to the size of the MFH to make the distance between needles about 1.5 cm, and the peri-lesional health tissue was protected with plastic insulating tube. The electrodes, which were divided as cathode and anode, were linked with the EA apparatus for EA treatment, the often applied voltage was 5.0-7.0 V, current 60-80 mA and quantity about 100 coulombs/cm of MFH's diameter. B-ultrasonography was used for monitoring during EA, and the treatment would be finished when B-ultrasonography showed disappearance of blood flow. RESULTS: Evaluation according to the WHO's standard for therapeutic efficacy evaluation of tumor showed that after treatment, 345 patients (85.2%) were completely remitted (CR), 39(9.6%) partially remitted (PR), 12(3.0%) improved pathologically, and 9 (2.2%) ineffective, the effective rate (CR + PR) was 94.8%. CONCLUSION: EA, as an creative technique for treatment of MFH, has made breakthrough achievement in clinical practice with high efficacy. It also has the superiorities of simple, less injury, quick recovery, with no scar left and easy to be spread, therefore, it provides an effective method for curing MFH.