Vascular Anomalies

Vascular anomalies are the most common congenital malformations. Vascular anomalies are broadly classified as tumors (e.g., infantile hemangiomas) and malformations (e.g., capillary, lymphatic, venous, and arteriovenous malformations). The most important initial step in management is accurate diagnosis. Imaging is performed if diagnosis is not clear on history and exam, or for treatment planning. Management depends on the type, location, and extent of malformation. Treatment options include observation, compression, physical therapy, pharmacologic treatment, percutaneous intervention, and surgery. Multidisciplinary teams comprise experts from multiple specialties can formulate optimal treatment plans, especially for atypical or complex vascular lesions. This field continues to evolve with new advances and applications in pharmacology, interventional radiology, and molecular genetics.