VASCULAR CUTANEOUS ANOMALIES IN CHILDREN - MALFORMATIONS AND HEMANGIOMAS

The vast majority of cutaneous vascular anomalies in infants acid chil dren are either malformations or hemangiomas. Vascular malformations a re subgrouped, based on channel morphology and rheology: slow-flow (ca pillary, lymphatic, venous, or combined-complex types) and fast-flow m alformations (ectasia, aneurysm, fistula, or arteriovenous anomalies). Noninvasive radiologic techniques, especially ultrasonography with Do ppler flow studies and magnetic resonance imaging, serve to document t he extent and flow characteristics. Management depends on the type of malformation: laser for capillary malformations; surgical excision for lymphatic malformations, compression, sclerotherapy, and resection fo r venous malformations; and embolization and/or surgical resection for arteriovenous fistulae/malformations, Hemangiomas are the most common tumors of infancy. The life cycle is divided into three phases: proli ferating, involuting, and involuted. Most hemangiomas do not require t reatment, although drug therapy is indicated for endangering or life-t hreatening hemangiomas. Corticosteroids (either systemic or local) and alpha-2a interferon are currently the most effective agents. Surgical resection of problematic hemangiomas can be undertaken during infancy , the preschool years, or childhood.