Vascular
Malformations
What
is it?
A vascular malformation is a
type of birthmark or congenital growth that is
made up of blood vessels. There are several
different types of vascular malformations, and
each is named for the blood vessel affected.
For example, there are capillary
malformations, called “port-wine stains”;
venous malformations, which involve the veins;
lymphatic malformations, found in the lymph
glands; and arterial malformations, which involve
the arteries. These growths can also involve the
eye, brain, respiratory tract, and other organs.
Vascular malformations should not be confused with hemangiomas,
which are harmless growths.
Who
gets it?
Vascular malformations are
present at birth.
Vascular malformations are less common than
hemangiomas,
which occur in 1% of newborns.
What
causes it?
Researchers do not know what
causes vascular malformations.
What
are the symptoms?
Capillary malformations cause
port-wine stains, which are flat, pink, red, or
purplish discolorations of the skin.
Port-wine stains can be a sign of Sturge-Weber
syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, but are usually
harmless. Venous,
lymphatic, and arterial malformations, however,
can cause large, bulky growths.
Depending upon the location of the growth,
children may experience symptoms caused by the
growths’ effects on other organs. Vascular
malformations grow as the child grows.
For this reason, the effects of vascular
malformations are more obvious later in life.
How
is it diagnosed?
Vascular malformations are
diagnosed according to the type of blood vessel
that is involved.
It is important o make an accurate
diagnosis because each type has different
characteristics, growth cycles, symptoms, and
treatments.
What
is the treatment?
Capillary malformations do
not require treatment.
However, port-wine stains that are large
and a source of embarrassment to the child can be
removed with laser therapy.
Lymphatic malformations are usually
surgically removed. Venous malformations are
usually treated by injecting a sclerosing agent
into the affected veins.
This agent causes the venous channels to
clot, which removes the blood source from the
malformation.
Arterial malformations are usually treated
with embolization.
The goal of this
treatment is to stop the flow of blood to the
malformation by injecting the artery with a
blocking agent. Your doctor may recommend a
combination of injection and surgery, depending
upon the number and size of malformations.
Children with vascular malformations
generally require the treatment of a group of
specialists according to the type of malformation
and the organs affected.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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