Venous Dysplasia Research Articles

Congenital Mixed Vascular Deformities of the Lower Limbs

Nineteen patients with vascular deformities of the lower extremity were studied and were classified into three groups based on their clinical and angiographic findings. 1) The Klippel or Venous Dysplasia Group (n = 8) demonstrated: cutaneous nevi of metameric distribution, congenital varices (many of which were anomalous by phlebography), hypertrophy of bone and other tissues, but no evidence of arterial involvement by arteriography. 2) Congenital Arterio-Venous Fistulae Group (n = 7) showed: cutaneous angiomata, hypertrophy of bone and soft tissues, but arteriographic findings of single or multiple arterio-venous fistulae. 3) Scattered Angiomata Group (n = 4) had single or multiple angiomata involving the lower limb in particular. Arteriography was normal, while phlbography revealed venous abnormalities. Lymphography was performed on all patients. Six of 8 of the Klippel group demonstrated aplastic or hypoplastic lymphatics by lymphography. By contrast, all 7 of the patients in the Congenital Arterio-Venous Fistulae Group showed in their lymphographic findings-three of 4 of these patients had aplasia or hypoplasia. Fourteen of the 19 patients complained of painful swelling as a major symptom. Lymphatic fistulae and lymphoceles developed in several patients.Four patients underwent reduction operations for lymphedema. Lymphatic abnormalities as demonstrated by lymphography play a significant role in mixed vascular deformities of the lower extremities.

Drainage of carotid-cavernous fistula through an unusually large intracranial venous network

Report of two cases of carotid-cavernous fistula characterized by a network of particularly large drainage veins. The authors believe that the development of such a drainage is due to a preexisting venous dysplasia which in the first case is responsible for a very large network. The authors also point out the very important arterial collateral circulation in the neck.

Vascular Hamartomata and Infantile Angioectatic Osteohyperplasia of the Extremities

A classification of vascular hamartomata and vascular dysplasias of the extremities occurring in early life is proposed, based on experience with ninety-four cases studlied by a variety of techniques. Six general classifications are made: localized cutaneous and subcutaneous vascular hamartomata, localized deep vascular hamartomata, extensive deep vascular hamartomata, multiple deep vascular hamartomata, diffuse deep vascular hamartomata, and infantile angioectatic osteohyperplasia. The techniques used for the investigation of these lesions include clinical observation, roentgenography, arteriography, phlebography, lymphography, sphygmography, oxygen saturation tests of the blood, histology, and three-dimensional reconstructions of lesions from serial sections. The results of these studies of many of the lesions are reported. Particularly stressed are the characteristics of the different types of such hamartomata, mostly depending on their diffusion and on the size of their communications with the general circulation. Arteriovenous fistulae and venous dysplasia, both congenital, are associated with hamartomata, as evidenced in the six groups under examination. The sharp difference between diffuse vascular hamartomata and infantile angioectatic osteohyperplasia is pointed out.