“Vascular anomalies” is a general term often used to describe a number of different abnormalities that occur in children or young adults. They may appear as a cosmetic blemish or mass, or they may come to attention by causing pain, swelling, sometimes or bleeding.

A hemangioma is a benign blood vessel tumor appearing within the first month of life. The tumor may grow rapidly, disproportional to the child's growth, during what is known as the proliferative or growth phase, and usually reaches a maximum size when the child is between one and three years of age. The hemangioma then begins to get smaller, as it involutes, or returns to its former size. Almost all hemangiomas will involute without any specific treatment. In most cases, all that usually remains is some excess fatty fibrous tissue (like wrinkled skin) that can easily be removed by a plastic surgeon. In some cases, the hemangioma causes medical problems that threaten the health or life of the baby. Medical treatment using steroids or chemotherapy may be necessary to speed up the involution of the hemangiomas ion these cases.

Milton Waner, MD the director of our Vascular and Birthmarks Institute of New York has pioneered several surgical procedures which result in resolution or significant improvement in hemangiomas during the formative years of a child's life. If a hemangioma bleeds or results in some impairment of normal function, or in cases of infants with very vascular hemangiomas, embolization to control the hemangioma may prove effective.

A true vascular malformation is usually present at birth, grows proportionally with the child, does not go through a rapid growth phase in infancy, and does not disappear. Vascular malformations may become apparent later in life as blood flow increases through abnormal connections between arteries and veins. Vascular malformations may also be the result of fluid or blood accumulating in poorly formed veins or lymphatic channels. Vascular malformations may cause cosmetic deformities of the head and neck and interfere with normal function in these areas. They also may occur in other areas of the body, and may cause pain, swelling and bleeding.

Vascular malformations may be influenced by hormonal changes occurring during puberty and pregnancy. Unlike hemangiomas, most vascular malformations require treatment. While not all vascular malformations can be completely eradicated, modern treatment techniques can improve the appearance of the patient and alleviate the symptoms of pain, swelling and bleeding. Many children and adults with vascular malformations achieve high levels of performance at school, in sports and in their careers.

Because vascular malformations are rare and complex, optimal results are achieved at centers specializing in their diagnosis and treatment. Each patient with a vascular malformation is unique, and requires the attention of professionals with specific training, skill and experience in this field--and access to the most advanced equipment and materials.

The Vascular Malformations Center of New York is staffed by professionals who have dedicated their careers to the study and treatment of Vascular Malformations. Dr. Alejandro Berenstein and Dr.Yasunari Niimi, of the Center for Endovascular Surgery have pioneered many of the breakthroughs in cerebral vascular malformation diagnosis and treatment.

Our staff are among the top in their field in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations. At the Center for Endovascular Surgery, we have the most advanced angiography (x-ray), ultrasound and laser equipment available, providing optimal conditions for the performance of these procedures.