Vascular Malformations & Anomalies

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What are Vascular Malformations & Anomalies?

Vascular malformations or anomalies are unusual, noncancerous growths of blood vessels. They can be inside the body or on the skin, in the form of birthmarks. Sometimes, they can’t be seen for weeks or months after birth, but they grow slowly throughout a lifetime.

The cause of vascular malformations often isn’t known, though they can be inherited in some families.

There are five types:

Capillary malformations, also known as port wine stains (red or purple in color)
Venous malformations
Lymphatic malformations
Arteriovenous malformations
Mixed malformations, a combination of any of the other types

UR Medicine's Treatments for Vascular Malformations & Anomalies

Treatment for vascular malformations or anomalies will depend on you or your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the malformation or anomaly is. If the growth is large, a team of doctors may be required, including our expert UR Medicine plastic and reconstructive surgeons, dermatologists, and other specialists. 

Treatments may include: 

Laser therapy for port wine stains
Injection into the vascular malformation for arterial malformations
Injection of a clotting (sclerosing) medicine for venous malformations
Craniofacial surgery, plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery

Vascular malformations don’t shrink or go away without treatment. Patients should see a craniofacial doctor with experience in treating vascular malformations.

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine leads the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region in the number and scope of specialized vascular-malformations services offered.

Our team of experts includes vascular and endovascular surgeons, craniofacial surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pediatric surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and cardiovascular imaging specialists.