Distinct blue venous pattern of a venous malformation in an 11-year-old female.
Venous malformation with a large nodule in a 9-year-old boy.
Venous–lymphatic malformation with superficial angiokeratomas.
Prominent dilated veins in child with venous malformation.
CLINICAL FEATURES
Venous malformations are developmental errors in vein formation. Venus malformations vary from discrete nodules containing a mass of venules to diffuse large vein abnormalities resembling varicose veins. The distinct venous pattern in larger vessel lesions is obvious. Nodular venous malformations are frequently confused with hemangiomas. Rapidly involuting congenital hemangiomas (RICH) and non-involuting congenital hemangiomas (NICH) may both be confused. Nodular venous malformations may be differentiated from hemangiomas by their presence at birth, lack of a rapid growth phase and no tendency toward regression. They are differentiated from NICH histologically and RICH by the rapid involution of the latter.
TREATMENT
Superficial nodular venule malformations may be surgically excised. The treatment of larger venous malformations is at best difficult and often impossible. Sclerotherapy with ethanol, ethylcelluose-ethanol or polidocanol may be of use for symptomatic lesions or prior to surgery. Sclerotherapy is associated with numerous side effects and should be used judiciously.
