A Vascular Malformation is a term used for congenital vascular anomalies of veins, lymph vessels, and arteries. In some cases they can reference:
- Only Veins
- Only Lymph Vessels
- Both Veins and Lymph Vessels
- Arteries connected directly to veins without capillaries in between.
Causes
Vascular Malformations occur as a result of genetics at birth, and become prominent as the person ages and may experience issues with their veins and blood delivery system. Much about vascular malformations is still to be discovered. However, we know that most occur during the formation of the network of arteries and veins during the gestation period.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of Vascular or Veinous Malformation are:
- Pain in the area of the poorly formed veins and/or arteries.
- Lumps under the skin in the general area of the poorly formed vein, or arteries.
- Birthmarks on the skin.
- Skin lesions or growths.
- Bleeding or leaking lymphatic fluid from skin lesions that occur at the site of the poorly formed veins or arteries.
- Infections at or near the site of the veins.
If you may be suffering from any of these symptoms or have vascular malformations, you should get your veins and arteries checked immediately as it could be signs of an issue soon to arise.
Treatment
Generally, treatment involves surgery to repair the vascular malformations however other methods involve closing off veins and arteries by an interventional radiologist. Depending on the level of malformation, and after thorough examination we will recommend a specific course of treatment for the symptoms as well as the full malformation.
