Vascular malformation

The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification has 5 types of Vascular Malformation. • denotes high-flow malformation Vascular malformations can also be divided into low-flow and high-flow types. Simple Types Capillary malformation on leg Capillary malformations involve the capillaries, and are the most common type. They used to refer only to port-wine stains but now include others. It has been proposed that the category of capillary malformations, also called vascular stains, be classified into seven major clinical types including nevus flammeus nuchae also known as nevus simplex, commonly known as stork bite or salmon patch. A capillary malformation is also a feature of the disorder macrocephaly-capillary malformation. An example of capillary malformation is cerebral cavernous malformations. This disease is linked to the central nervous system (brain, eye, spinal cord). They are abnormal clusters of closely packed, thin-walled blood vessels that usually form caverns. The lesions contain slow-moving or clotted blood. Lesions in the brain and spinal cord are particularly fragile and likely to bleed. Lymphatic malformation Lymphatic malformations are congenital, developing from badly-formed lymphatic vessels in early embryonic development. Abnormal development of the lymph vessels results in their failure to connect and drain into the venous system. A severe venous malformation is known as a lymphaticovenous malformation that also involves the lymph vessels. Venous malformations Venous malformations are the type of vascular malformation that involves the veins. They can often extend deeper from their surface appearance, reaching underlying muscle or bone. In the neck they may extend into the lining of the mouth cavity or into the salivary glands. A severe venous malformation can involve the lymph vessels as a lymphaticovenous malformation. Arteriovenous fistula Combined Types Combined types are defined as two or more vascular malformations found in one lesion. Examples of combined types include lymphatic-venous malformation (LVM) or capillary-venous-arteriovenous malformation (VAVM). == Terminology ==

The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification is a basic and systematic classification of vascular anomalies with international acceptance. As such terms such as "Lymphangioma" and "Cystic Hygroma", which were used widely in the past, are outdated. Newer research may only reference ISSVA terminology and, as a consequence, sources of information can be missed by doctors and patients unaware of the ISSVA convention. == See also ==