Vascular Malformations Of Skin Research Articles

A literature review of microvascular proliferation in arteriovenous malformations of skin and soft tissue

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are defined as being quiescent vascular masses composed of mature vessels. However, recent studies reported areas of microvascular proliferation (MVP) in AVM, indicating a process of angiogenesis. As this finding questions the previous definition, the primary objective of this review was to evaluate whether angiogenesis occurs in vascular malformations of skin and soft tissue, and second, to identify potential factors involved in MVP.Due to the multifaceted nature of this subject, a hermeneutic methodology was used to select articles that were likely to provide a deeper understanding of MVP in vascular malformations. Through citation tracking and database searching in PubMed and Web of Science, relevant articles were identified. All study designs concerning occurrence of MVP in AVM of skin and soft tissue in all age groups were included in the study. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment.16 studies were included in this review which reported occurrence of MVP areas in between the otherwise mature vessels of vascular malformations. In these studies, angiogenesis was reported only in AVM-type of vascular malformations. Increased levels of pro-angiogenic factors were also reported and proliferation was found most prominently during adolescence. Finally, several types of hormone receptors also have been described in tissues of AVM.Overall, the reviewed data support occurrence of active angiogenesis, highlighted by the presence of MVP in the arteriovenous type of vascular malformations, and a possible concurrent lesion progression towards a higher Schobinger stage of clinical severity. The relative scarcity of data at present implies that further research is required to elucidate the nature of MVP in AVM, which could have implications for developing targeted pharmacotherapy.Active angiogenesis caused by MVP in AVM patients is known to be correlating to clinical symptoms and contributing to the progression of the disease, recurrence rate, and patient's quality of life.

MON-077 A Case of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Introduction: Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a congenital neurocutaneous disorder characterized by a port wine stain on the skin in the distribution of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (vascular malformation of skin), glaucoma, and leptomeningeal angiomas. Central nervous system abnormalities may increase the risk of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. One previous study showed that SWS patients had higher prevalence of growth hormone deficiency than the general population although the etiology is unclear. This case report describes a patient who was initially diagnosed with SWS and later confirmed with complete growth hormone deficiency.Case: A 7-year-and-11-month-old boy who had been diagnosed with SWS visited a tertiary center for the evaluation of short stature [111.1cm (<3 percentile)]. He was born at 37 weeks of gestational age with birth weight of 3230g by cesarean section and had a port wine nevus on the right side of the face since birth. He had a history of epilepsy first occurring at 6 months of age when he was diagnosed with SWS. There were two more attacks of seizure till 32 months of age. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed leptomeningeal angioma, choroidal hemangioma, and diffuse brain atrophy. He was diagnosed with glaucoma and had been managed with surgery and medication. There was no family history of SWS or any other brain anomaly. His mid-parental height was 167.7cm. All blood tests were normal including complete blood count, chemistry, and thyroid function test. Hand x-ray showed delayed bone age. Cocktail test was performed for the evaluation of short stature. As a result, he was diagnosed with complete growth hormone deficiency (peak GH on L-dopa test: 2.46 ng/mL, peak GH on glucagon test: 3.71 ng/mL). The recombinant growth hormone therapy was started at the age of 8 years and 1 month. He showed good response to GH treatment. His height became 125.8cm at the age of 9 years and 5 months (height velocity 9.2 cm/year), and 134.3cm at the age of 10 years and 6 months.Conclusion: We experienced a case with Sturge-Weber syndrome and complete growth hormone deficiency which was successfully managed by recombinant growth hormone therapy. It may be better to consider the possibility of GH deficiency even if there are certain conditions that affect the growth itself.

Nevus Flammeus: A Rare Case Report

Port-wine stain (PWS), also referred to as “nevus flammeus,” is a vascular malformation of skin which appears as red to violaceous patches on the surface of the skin. There is no hereditary predilection and no known risk factors. Rarely, may it, also, be acquired secondary to trauma. It comes under a group of disorders known as vascular malformations and may be seen as a part of syndromes like Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neuro-cutaneous disorder, sporadic in occurrence, without any identified underlying genetic abnormality. It is also termed as encephalo-trigeminal angiomatosis, manifesting clinically, as a cutaneous lesion, a nevus flammeus that involves the region innervated by the branches of the trigeminal nerve. Herewith, we are reporting a case with facial port wine stains with enlargement of middle third of face, upper lip and gingival tissues on right side as described.