Vascular anomalies

Abstract

Vascular anomalies have long confused patients and physicians alike. Historically, it was believed that a mother's emotions or diet could imprint upon her unborn child, resulting in a vascular birthmark. This use of the terms "cherry", "strawberry", or "port wine stain" reflect this doctrine of maternal impressions. Virchow was likely the first to attempt to categorize vascular anomalies based upon histological features. Despite his attempts, overlapping vernacular and histopathologic terms continued to contribute to confusion, resulting in misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and misdirected research. In 1983, Mulliken and Glowacki presented a reliable classification system for vascular anomalies, dividing the field into two major categories: hemangiomas and malformations. Following modification to tumors and malformations, this system was formally accepted by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies in 1996 and remains in use today.