Vascular Malformations CS-OSPE

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Port Wine Stain (Capillary Malformation)

Case Description/Presentation: baby who presents with a lesion on her face that has been present since birth and has been growing in size. The lesion is not itchy or painful. This is a 30-year-old fellow who presented to your clinic with this skin condition, which appeared since birth. Patient came to the clinic with this lesion since birth.

Diagnosis: Cutaneous or mucosal CM (capillary malformation) (“Port-wine” stain) Port Wine Stain / Portwine

Underlying Cause/Problem: Capillary Capillary malformation (sometimes specified as “with midline cut off”)

Description: Dull red patch on the face involving the upper eyelid, forehead, temple and scalp

Differential Diagnosis:

  1. Nevus simplex
  2. Infantile Hemangiomas (IH)

Management/Treatment:

  1. Full history
  2. Examination
  3. Education
  4. Conservative management – no treatment or use of cosmetics to conceal the lesions
  5. Pulse dye laser (PDL) – causes intravascular coagulation in abnormal vasculature without damaging surrounding structures

Prognosis/Progression: May develop papules, skin hypertrophy, and nodules over time.


Nevus Simplex

Look at this birthmark and answer the following questions.

  1. What is the most likely diagnosis and what is the underlying cause?

    • Diagnosis: Nevus Simplex
    • Underlying Cause: Capillary malformation
  2. What is the treatment of choice and what is the prognosis?

    • Treatment: No need / No treatment needed
    • Prognosis: Good. 90-95% of lesions resolve/fade after 1-2 years.

Infantile Hemangioma

This is a six-month-year baby boy who presented to the dermatological clinic with this condition.

  1. Diagnosis: Infantile hemangioma
  2. Due to: Benign vascular tumor
  3. Prognosis: Bad if segmental; it could be part of a syndrome or complicated with ulcer, visual impairment, or multifocal presentation.