THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF COMMON BIRTHMARKS

Physicians are often asked to evaluate birthmarks with regard to poten tial surgical management. An appreciation of the normal behavior and p otential complications of vascular, pigmented, and other types of birt hmarks is essential before management can be contemplated. Many such l esions, once clinically diagnosed, are best handled by a multidiscipli nary approach involving plastic surgeons, dermatologists, pediatrician s, radiologists, and others, as indicated. This article focuses primar ily on vascular and pigmented birthmarks and briefly addresses other h amartomatous lesions and their management.