Facial vascular anomalies are visible alterations of the color and appearance of the skin on the face. These changes vary in size and shape from quite small and flat, to large and bulbous. Although most colored sports are not serious, some can cause problems to the facial appearance and function. Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health has the only multi-disciplinary vascular anomalies team comprised of medical and surgical experts dedicated to the treatment of vascular anomalies.
Facial vascular anomalies can be present at birth or acquired after birth. Defined by the visible alteration of the color and appearance of the skin on the face, the lesions form due to the build up of dilated blood vessels. Those formed during embryonic life can be classified based on the type of their blood flow, including slow-flow lesions (capillary, venous, lymphatic), high-flow lesions (arterial) and combined slow/fast-flow lesions.
The most significant acquired infant vascular lesions are hemangiomas, which are benign (non-cancerous) but potentially destructive tumors, composed of proliferating blood vessels. Acquired vascular lesions seen later in life are associated with aging (senile angiomas), trauma (arteriovenous fistulas), systemic conditions (spider angioma), and malignancy (Kaposi sarcoma).
Facial vascular anomalies are caused by the dilation and collection of capillaries, which are the small blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. Common types of facial vascular anomalies include:
A port-wine stain is a red or purple birthmark caused by dilated capillaries in the skin, usually present at birth. It may initially appear pink and may darken and thicken as your child grows. Port-wine stains are found most commonly on the face and neck, but can occur on other parts of the body.
Hemangiomas are growths made up of abnormally dense collections of dilated capillaries. Although they have a tumor-like appearance, they are not cancerous. Hemangiomas can be found on any part of the body, including the head and face. The only time to worry about a Hemangioma is if its location affects your child’s vision, breathing or eating.
Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM) occurs when there is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. The size, location and visibility of the malformations can vary, however large malformations may require enough blood flow to put stress on the heart.
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health has extensive experience treating facial vascular malformations and offers the best treatment options, including laser and traditional surgery techniques. Our team of pediatric surgeons, plastic surgeons and dedicated pediatric anesthesiologists take the utmost care when performing surgical procedures on your child.
Treatment for facial vascular anomalies depends on the type of malformation:
Although no treatment is necessary, if a port-wine stain is found on a child’s face, treatment may be beneficial to promoting a positive self-image. Port-wine stains are treated with laser therapy, which can significantly lighten the appearance of the stain. Early evaluation of facial port-wine stains can help doctors determine if other underlying problems exist. For example, port-wine stains that involve the upper or lower eyelid may also be associated with the development of glaucoma.
As with port-wine stains, no treatment is necessary for most hemangiomas. However, when a hemangioma is affecting a child’s vision, breathing or eating, or when it is causing a serious deformity of a child’s face, treatment is recommended. Your physician will order an ultrasound or MRI to determine the depth of the hemangioma and the structures involved. Treatment depends on the size and location of the hemangioma, but can include steroids to reduce the size of the malformation, and laser or traditional surgery.
Treatment for this type of malformation is surgical removal. Prior to surgery, your physician may recommend embolization, which stops blood flow in the problem vessel, or direct injection of a medicine to promote clotting.
April 15th, 2013 | The Heads Up!!! Foundation recently donated $3,000 to the Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. The gift will pay for the purchase of the “Craniofacial Family Notebook” which is given to parents of newborns at their first clinic visit. The notebook contains valuable educational information about… Continue Reading
February 24th, 2013 | The sweet taste of maple syrup will be flowing at the National Maple Syrup Festival on the first two weekends in March, and all the proceeds from the festival – going to The Heads Up!!! Foundation – will literally help put a sweet smile on the face of hundreds of children born with cleft palates and other facial anomalies. "Each year this… Continue Reading
January 23rd, 2013 | As any experienced parent knows, every developmental stage brings not only new skills that delight, but often difficult behaviors that challenge. The first time that most parents realize this fact is when their sweet baby becomes a “terrible” toddler. Below is a summary of some of the typical, but difficult behaviors that appear in this… Continue Reading
