Vascular malformations


Vascular malformations--also known as birthmarks--occur when blood vessels develop abnormally.

We use the term “vascular anomalies” to describe a number of abnormalities that affect children and young adults. These anomalies look like a blemish or mass that may cause pain, swelling, or bleeding. Vascular malformations often result from abnormal development in blood vessels, lymph vessels, veins, and/or arteries.

Vascular malformations are usually present at birth, grow proportionally with the child, do not expand rapidly during infancy, and do not disappear. We sometimes see vascular malformations in older people, as blood flow increases through abnormal connections between arteries and veins. Vascular malformations can also come from fluid or blood accumulating in poorly formed veins or lymphatic channels. Vascular malformations can cause cosmetic deformities of the head and neck and can interfere with normal function in these areas. They also occur in other areas of the body and can cause pain, swelling, and bleeding.

Vascular malformations can be affected by hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy and can result from fluid or blood accumulating in poorly formed veins or lymphatic channels. Vascular malformations may become apparent later in life as blood flow increases through abnormal connections between arteries and veins.

Most vascular malformations require treatment, to improve appearance and alleviate pain, swelling, and bleeding. Sometimes we can completely cure a vascular malformation. Many children and adults with vascular malformations achieve high levels of performance at school, in sports, and in their careers.

 



The four primary types of vascular malformations are:

 

Capillary Malformation

  •        Port Wine Stains
  •          Slow flow; pink or purple with well-defined borders; blanchable
  •          Most common on the face
  •          Hyperpigmentation and thickening increase with age
  •          Associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome

Nevus Simplex

  •          Also known as "stork bite, "angel kiss," or "salmon patch"
  •          Most common on the nape, glabella, and eyelids
  •          Borders are poorly defined
  •         Typically fades with time

Both subtypes of capillary malformation are present at birth. Treatment options for capillary malformations include concealment with makeup and/or V-beam pulse laser dye treatment. Laser treatment typically requires multiple sessions; its function is to reduce the pigmentation level of the capillary malformation. Experts recommend that capillary malformations are treated before a child reaches the age of self-awareness or strong memory formation.

 

Venous Malformation

  • Slow flow; blue or purple; blanchable
  •  Most common on jaw, cheek, tongue, and lips
  •  May be painful
  •  Swells in a dependent position or if the child cries, bears down, has a fever, or is in a warm environment
  •  Shrinks in a cold environment

Treatment options for venous malformations include percutaneous sclerotherapy. Excision (though complete removal of the lesion is rare) and compression are other treatment options to consider with more problematic or painful venous malformations.

 


Lymphatic Malformation

  •   Slow flow; results from excess fluid accumulation in the lymphatic system
  •   Most common on the head and neck
  •    May spontaneously involute (depending on size)
  •    Prone to infection
  •    Associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

Sclerotherapy should be used to treat macrocystic or otherwise problematic lymphatic malformations. Sclerotherapy is less risky and more effective than surgical excision, which carries an increased risk of intralesional bleeding and infection and should only be used when sclerotherapy is not possible. Compression garments are another helpful option for the treatment of lymphatic malformations.

 

Arteriovenous Malformation

  •     High-flow, pulsating collection of blood vessels
  •     Abnormal connection between arteries and veins; can be disfiguring 
  •     Can cause pain, bleeding, ulceration
  •     Usually appears in late childhood or adolescence




Arteriovenous malformations are rarely cured, with the goal of treatment being successful management. Sclerotherapy is one treatment option, as is embolization followed by resection.

 

  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Varicocele Embolization

Image
Varicocele Embolization: Day-care treatment for varicocele; a silent cure for male infertility? The disease of Scrotal Veins and a common cause of Male infertility. Varicocele causes decrease in the count and sperm motility resulting in male infertility. Until now Surgery is the only option and had lot of complications associated with it. Varicocele embolization is the latest non surgical minimal invasive treatment with very little side effects. What is a varicocele? A varicocele is an enlargement of veins within the scrotum in males. They typically form during puberty. They most commonly are seen on the left side, however most men can have varicoceles on both sides. Healthy veins return blood to the heart through one-way valves, allowing blood to travel toward the heart. Disease veins have weakened valves, letting blood flow backwards, leading to pooling in the veins. It is similar to the varicose veins in the legs, varicocele happens inside the scrotum near the testis. ...
Read more

Nerve blocks

Image
  Celiac plexus blocks are injections of pain medication that help relieve abdominal pain, commonly due to cancer or chronic pancreatitis. The celiac plexus is a bundle of nerves that surrounds the aorta, the main artery into your abdomen. Blocking these nerves from carrying pain information can help you stop feeling pain in your abdomen. A celiac plexus block does not heal or treat the cause of celiac disease. This procedure only aids in stopping the pain from ever reaching our main processing center, the brain. Genicular nerve block severe knee pain is a common complaint in people suffering from progressive disease like osteoarthritis. Pain is also common following a failed knee surgery like partial or total knee replacement. For many people, chronic knee pain can be treated by blocking pain signals that are fed into the knee through the genicular nerves. This procedure is called Genicular Nerve Block or Neurotomy.  Genicular nerve block/neurotomy is a relatively new techn...
Read more

CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE -PRECURSOR OF STROKE

Image
  CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE -PRECURSOR OF STROKE Carotid arteries  are the major blood vessels on each side of the neck that supply blood to the brain, face and neck. These arteries extend from the aorta in the chest to the base of the skull. Over time, the arteries can harden and cause a build-up of plaque (calcium, cholesterol, and fibrous tissue deposits) on the walls of the arteries. This plaque build-up can narrow and stiffen the arteries. The progressive plaque build-up can reduce the blood flow through the arteries or cause the formation of blood clots. Such narrowed carotid arteries can be treated by using stents. There are certain risk factors associated with early build up of plaque in carotid arteries  Risk factor for Carotid artery disease and Stroke  Having above risk factors then you are at HIGH RISK FOR STROKE   - Get it diagnosed early!  Carotid artery stenting (CAS)  involves the insertion of a metal-mesh tube, called a stent, at the...
Read more