Vascular Malformations

A vascular malformation is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels that forms during fetal development, leading to irregular blood flow. Unlike hemangiomas, which are tumors that grow and shrink over time, vascular malformations are present at birth and typically grow in proportion to the child as they age. These malformations can occur in various forms, including:

• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
• Capillary malformations
• Venous malformations, depending on the types of blood vessels involved

Vascular malformations are usually caused by abnormal development of blood vessels during fetal growth. Unlike hemangiomas, which appear from the rapid growth of blood vessels, vascular malformations occur due to a genetic mutation or disruption in the normal formation of blood vessels. This can lead to irregular connections between arteries, veins or capillaries that persist throughout life.

In most cases, the cause is not well understood, but some vascular malformations are associated with certain genetic conditions, such as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome or Sturge-Weber syndrome. These conditions may increase the likelihood of vascular malformations, although they can also occur without any underlying genetic disorder.

Treatment for vascular malformations depends on the type of the malformation. Each type is treated differently. Your physician will provide a thorough assessment to determine the type of vascular malformation as well as recommend the appropriate treatment for your child, which may include:

• Capillary malformations: Laser therapy is usually effective for capillary malformations or port wine stains, which tend to be flat, violet or red patches on the face
• Arterial malformations: Often treated with a procedure called embolization, where a specialist gently blocks the blood flow to the abnormal vessel by injecting a safe material near the area
• Venous malformations: Usually treated by direct injection of a sclerosing (clotting) medication which causes clotting of the channels

Most often, a combination of these various treatments is used for effective management of the lesion. Vascular malformations don’t shrink or go away without treatment.