In Reply

Letters to the editor regarding the article Glomuvenous Malformations by Friedrich Stock, Stefan Krüger, and Georg Lodde in issue 12/2025

Owing to restrictions on the character count, our case report (1) focused on the diagnostic challenge and the molecular-genetic confirmation of this rare entity. The brief list of therapeutic modalities was intended only to provide an overview of potential treatment options, without claiming completeness or a hierarchical order.

We agree that modern laser treatments, such as long pulsed Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm), and IPL technology have shown promising results in superficial lesions (2, 3). Similarly, interventional-radiologic procedures, such as sclerotherapy, are valuable options if the indication is defined correspondingly.

However, the current literature continues to name surgical resection as the therapeutic standard for glomuvenous malformations, since such lesions are typically localized near the surface and rarely infiltrate deeper structures (4). The therapeutic modality should always be selected on the basis of localization, size or extent, number of lesions, and patient preference.

The mention of the cited articles is very valuable and adds to the therapeutic perspective of our case report.

DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0191

On behalf of the authors

PD Dr. med. Georg Lodde

Universitätsklinikum Essen, Klinik für Dermatologie

Conflict of interest statement

The authors of both letters to the editor declare that no conflict of interest exists.

References

1. Stock F, Krüger S, Lodde G: Glomuvenous malformations. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2025; 122: 327

2. Phillips CB, Guerrero C, Theos A. Nd:YAG laser offers promising treatment option for familial glomuvenous malformation. Dermatol Online J 2015; 21: 13030/qt4nv6k7bv

3. Moreno-Arrones OM, Jimenez N, Alegre-Sanchez A, Fonda P, Boixeda P. Glomuvenous malformations: Dual PDL-Nd:YAG laser approach. Lasers Med Sci 2018; 33: 2007–2010

4. Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haemaology: Glomuvenous malformation (GVM). https://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/cancer-prone-disease/10120/glomuvenous-malformation-(gvm) (last accessed on 19 November 2025).