Identify types of vascular malformations on the skin

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Bui Tien Dat - Emergency Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Vascular malformation on the skin is a fairly common disease today. The disease has many different subtypes, which are divided according to the type of blood vessel involved such as capillary malformation, venous malformation, arteriovenous malformation and combined vascular malformation.

1. Varicose veins

Venous malformation usually presents as a soft mass that presses down easily, and the skin at the site of the lesion is blue-violet. When the form of veins on the face can cause varicose veins, in the extremities causes asymmetry in the two limbs. Large vein malformations in the oropharynx and deep throat may spread and cause airway compression. Diagnosis of venous malformations is often based on imaging tests such as MRI, contrast angiography.
Treatments for venous malformations include:
Wear socks if venous malformations in extremities Use Aspirin 80 mg/day to relieve pain and venous thromboembolism Small venous malformations scleroderma sodium tetradecyl sulfate 1% Post-sclerotherapy surgery to reduce venous malformation volume, improve function and esthetics.

2. Capillary malformation

Capillary malformations, also known as wine birthmarks, are often present at birth. Manifestations of the disease are malformations of superficial blood vessels in the skin. The capillaries in the dermis are dilated and dense.
For the treatment of capillary malformations, laser is the first priority. Lasers that cause high complication rates and should not be used are CO2 lasers, copper vapor lasers, and argon lasers. Besides, other types of machines such as strong pulsed light will be effective in certain cases. Some methods such as surgery, irradiation, cryotherapy, electrocautery, sclerotherapy, etc. are often not feasible and are not applied in capillary malformations.

3. Lymphatic malformation

Lymphatic malformation is an abnormal dilation of the lymphatic ducts into fluid-filled cysts. The disease is divided into 3 types: small cystic form, large cystic form and mixed form. These cysts swell or collapse as a result of lymphatic fluid in and out, inflammation or bleeding. The disease usually appears at birth or before 2 years of age. The manifestation of the disease is a black or red dome-shaped tumor.
Facial lymphatic malformations can cause facial deformity, eye protrusion in the bone causing bone hypertrophy or lingual lymphatic malformation that limits speech, causing infection, bleeding, and swelling. In addition, cervical lymphatic malformation can cause airway obstruction. To treat lymphatic malformations, patients should combine rest with the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics are used when there is cellulitis caused by bacteria. The highly effective treatment method is injection of tumor sclerotia.

4. Arteriovenous malformation

Arteriovenous malformations are abnormalities in the connection between arteries and veins. Arteriovenous malformations are usually present at birth and become more apparent in adulthood. Signs of the disease include pain, overgrowth, anemia, bleeding, and heart failure.
Arteriovenous malformations often cause cyanosis, opaque fingers, erythrocytosis, cerebral infarction and brain abscess due to abnormal function of pulmonary blood vessels. On the skin, the patient can detect a red malformation, warmer than the surrounding skin, and has a pulsating pulse.

5. Combined vascular malformation

Combined vascular malformation can be divided into many different syndromes such as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, Proteus syndrome, Parkes-Weber syndrome, Mafucci syndrome,...
5.1 Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome Is a combination cutaneous vascular malformation with venous and lymphatic system abnormalities along with bony hypertrophy and soft tissue organization of the extremities. It is present at birth and develops over time. Manifestations of the disease include vascular abnormalities of the skin (the skin may be hyperpigmented, thickened, vasodilated and cherry-red), and extremity hypertrophy.
To diagnose Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome can use radiology, MRI, angiography, ultrasound and nuclear medicine.
5.2 Proteus syndrome This is a rare syndrome. The disease is manifested by the overgrowth of many organs in the body and has a familial nature. The disease causes hypertrophy, asymmetry of the face and body, skin lesions such as epidermal birthmarks, lipomas, vascular hypertrophy, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, loss of brain-shaped connective tissue with clear borders, wrinkling,...
In bones, the disease is manifested by the overgrowth of the skeletal system such as giant hand or foot partial giant, oversized long bones and scoliosis.
5.3 Mafucci syndrome This is a rare mutation that occurs in both men and women. Manifestations of the disease are benign cartilage hypertrophy, bone deformity, irregular shape and black hemangioma.
5.4 Parkes-Weber syndrome This syndrome is a rare type of combined vascular malformation. The disease usually occurs in the lower extremities and has manifestations of dynamic - static - capillary malformation, lymphatic - dynamic - static - capillary malformation. Clinically, the following signs can be observed: warm, purple skin, pulsation, enlarged limbs, map-shaped red spots, MRI shows hypertrophy of muscles and bones.
5.5 Cobb's syndrome This is a non-hereditary lesion and is associated with spina bifida or congenital arteriovenous malformations. Initially, patients with Cobb's syndrome are often treated with root canal decompression surgery, which attempts to ligate the venous malformation but results in fatal bleeding. Radiation therapy was then used with limited results.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.