Vascular anomalies: special considerations in children

Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of vascular anomalies are a large part of the caseload for paediatric interventional radiologists. Although many of the principles of sclerotherapy and embolisation are the same in adult and paediatric practice, there are some key differences in the approach for children, including some longer term thinking about managing these chronic diseases and their impact on a growing child. Vascular tumours are not often seen in adult IR practice and the rarest can be life threatening; knowledge of the commonest types and the role IR can play in their management can be instrumental in ensuring that children get appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Vascular anomalies also encompass some conditions associated with complex overgrowth, a subject that often causes confusion and uncertainty for interventional radiologists. This paper presents a simplified and practical approach to this spectrum of disease.