Diagnosis of hemangiomas

Abstract

Diagnosis of hemangiomas is rapidly and constantly evolving. Since 1982, progressive characterization of different hemangioma subtypes (infantile hemangioma, rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma, noninvoluting congenital hemangioma, rapidly involuting fetal hemangioma, partially involuting congenital hemangioma) is permitting a more accurate identification and a better treatment. Despite those advances, wrong nomenclature (adult liver hemangioma, vertebral hemangioma, choroidal hemangioma etc.) remains as the origin of frequently provided inappropriate treatments. In addition currently used terms as epithelioid hemangioma, sclerosing hemangioma, intramuscular hemangioma, hobnail hemangioma, verrucous hemangioma, or littoral cell angioma, will probably need to be renamed in order to avoid confusion. Worldwide development of vascular anomaly multidisciplinary centers is improving the outcome of treatment in children with hemangiomas and vascular malformations, reducing misdiagnosis rate and morbidity due to delayed therapy.