Vascular malformations

Abstract

Despite the fact that vascular anomalies being a frequent cause for consultation in paediatric patients, little is known about this type of pathology in clinical practice. this means it is difficult to ensure a correct diagnosis and hence apply the precise treatment in each case. the nomenclature has undoubtedly been the biggest obstacle to our knowledge of these injuries. Until recently, purely descriptive and erroneous terminology was employed, which may give rise to very important conceptual errors. throughout this chapter, we shall approach two major groups of vascular anomalies, tumours and malformations, from a more current perspective. We shall focus on those we consider the most important, either because of their frequency or because they may lead to more or less serious complications. We shall describe the main clinical characteristics of each of these anomalies, the complementary tests needed in each case to make a correct differential diagnosis, and the different therapeutic possibilities that are currently available.