Venous Malformation

Abstract

Venous malformations are the most commonly treated slow-flow vascular malformation. The most common types of venous malformations are sporadic venous malformation, glomuvenous malformation, and blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. The most common familial form of venous anomaly is glomuvenous malformation. Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome or Bean syndrome is a rare condition characterized by multiple, small venous malformations 1–2 cm in size, involving the skin, soft tissue, and gastrointestinal tract. Venous malformations may be associated with other syndromes such as capillary-lymphatic-venous malformation, congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi and scoliosis, skeletal or spinal anomalies (CLOVES), Maffucci’s syndrome, and Proteus syndrome. Most of venous malformations are diagnosed by history and physical examination. As a diagnostic procedure, ultrasound is mostly used for localized and MRI for diffuse lesions. The most common symptom of venous malformation is pain due to local compression, congestion and thrombosis, and hemorrhage into surrounding tissues and joints. Treatment of a patient with venous malformation is individualized, best within multidisciplinary team approach, and it includes observation, medical therapy, compression garments, sclerotherapy, surgical resection, laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.