A review of facial vascular anomalies with emphasis on venous malformations

Abstract

Vascular anomalies are localized congenital morphogenetic defects in the blood vessels. They represent a broad spectrum of disorders, ranging from a simple “birthmark” to life-threatening entities. Most (60%) occur in the head and neck region, and each anomaly has a different etiology and clinical behavior; therefore, an accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate evaluation and management. This study aims to briefly elaborate on the vascular anomalies, their etiology, and clinical features and assess the role of sclerosing agents in treating venous malformations. The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classifies vascular anomalies into vascular tumors and malformations, with subdivisions of each. This classification is accepted worldwide and has become the official system for classifying vascular anomalies. Hemangiomas are the most common type of vascular tumors, while venous malformations are the most common type of vascular malformations. Venous malformations can be treated conservatively without surgical disfigurement. Sclerotherapy is the first-line treatment for venous malformations, as it is an easy-to-perform procedure with minimal equipment needed.