Differential diagnosis of infantile hemangiomas

Abstract

1.Compare and contrast infantile hemangiomas with other vascular anomalies that may be confused clinically.2.Describe the vascular anomalies classification system according to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA), highlighting the differences between vascular tumors, such as infantile hemangiomas, and vascular malformations.3.Briefly review associated signs or syndromes found in the context of certain vascular anomalies.Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign vascular tumor in infancy but may mimic many other types of vascular anomalies. In many cases, the appearance, time of onset, growth pattern, and consistency of infantile hemangiomas make the diagnosis straightforward (see "Pathogenesis of Infantile Hemangiomas" on p. 321). However, many other vascular lesions can appear quite similar to infantile hemangiomas, especially early in life, and at times this makes the correct diagnosis challenging.