What is a vascular malformation? Vascular malformations can affect veins, arteries, capillaries, and even lymphatic vessels. Vascular malformations are generally present prior to birth and grow in parallel with the overall growth of the patient....
Experienced vascular anomalies specialists can make the correct diagnosis based on the history, clinical presentation, and appearance of the vascular anomaly. Testing may include blood tests, ultrasound, x-ray, MRI, lymphoscintigram, eye examination by an ophthalmologist,...
It is your right to obtain further medical opinions. These are best provided by physicians familiar with vascular malformations. Your physician or one of the patient advocacy sites can provide you with names of experts...
Through a vascular anomalies center patients benefit from being able to consult with an experienced inter-disciplinary team that works together to formulate the best treatment plan for each patient. This collaborative approach provides a system...
Patients who have access to a multidisciplinary vascular anomalies program will benefit from early referrals to appropriate experienced subspecialists who work together to coordinate evaluation, treatment, and management. Depending on a person’s individual case, specialists...
Vascular anomalies are often medically complex, requiring input and treatment by a number of specialists. A multidisciplinary team approach will allow your care to be coordinated among doctors of many specialties. Patients with vascular anomalies...
Many patients with vascular anomalies are initially misdiagnosed. In fact, most adult patients who have been told they have a hemangioma actually have a vascular malformation. Various patient support organizations provide referral information for consumers...
Vascular anomalies are not new. Throughout history, there have been references to vascular anomalies, yet the study of these disorders has not traditionally been emphasized in medical training. In recent years, how-ever, research in the...
Approximately one in ten children are born with a hemangioma. Of these children, about half will require medical intervention of some type. Because hemangiomas are not typically present at birth, they are not listed on...
The majority of vascular anomalies appear to be sporadic (that is, there is no specific known cause). Rarely, multiple family members have had hemangiomas; when this occurs, researchers have been able to gain insight into...
Patients with vascular anomalies have differences in blood and/or lymphatic vessels. Based on the location(s) and complications (which are either already present or are anticipated to arise), there may be visible changes to a person’s...
The term vascular anomaly refers to a wide range of disorders that vary in their presentation and medical seriousness. Although vascular anomalies are growths of vascular tissue and/or extra blood vessels, they are not cancerous....
Endothelial cells are thin cells that make up the blood vessels and play an important role in the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Endothelial cells create a lining, the endothelium, inside heart and blood/ lymphatic vessel...
When discussing vascular anomalies, we are focusing on the blood and lymphatic vessels, which carry blood and lymphatic fluid. Blood vessels are the tubes through which blood flows. Blood consists of cellular components as well...
The lymphatic system is composed of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and lymphatic ducts. Lymphatic fluid containing proteins, nutrients, and white blood cells (also called lymphocytes) circulate within lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic system helps maintain the...
The arteries, veins, and capillaries are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body . Their function can be described as follows: Arteries are muscular, elastic vessels that carry oxy-gen-rich blood out to the body. The...
The circulatory, or cardiovascular, system is a complex body system that transports oxygen, nutrition, and waste throughout the body. The circulatory system networks the heart, blood vessels, arteries, and lungs in order to move blood...