A Diagnostic Program of Vascular Tumor and Vascular Malformations in Children According to Modern Classification

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the cohort of inpatient children with vascular anomalies according to the globally accepted classification introduced by the ISSVA. Methods: The study included 205 inpatient children within the time period of the years 2010–2015. Types of vascular anomalies (VAs), age of patients, diagnostic procedures, and anatomical localization of VAs were analyzed. Results: 65 patients of first year of life had vascular tumors, with prevalence of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) in 57 (87.7%) patients. 45 children had IHs localized within soft tissues, whereas 7 patients suffered from IHs of the liver, and 5 children from IHs of the respiratory tract. Most patients with soft tissue IHs were diagnosed only with ultrasound; СT or MRI diagnostics were performed on 5 (8.8%) patients, and biopsy was carried out in 2 (4.4%) children. Vascular malformations (VM) were diagnosed in 140 (68.3%) patients. Ultrasound investigation (US) was the screening method. MRI was performed to confirm the diagnosis of low-flow VM, whereas for high-flow VM CT angiography and selective angiography were useful. Venous malformations were diagnosed in 17 (12.1%) patients, and 112 (80.0%) had cystic LM, among them children under the age of 2 years prevailed. Arteriovenous malformations were diagnosed in 5 (3.8%) patients, ages 2–14 years. Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of vascular anomalies have clear age features. Among hospitalized children vascular tumors add up to 31.7% and VM – up to 68.3%.