Intraosseous venous malformation of the craniofacial region: diagnosis and management

Abstract

Vascular lesions mainly affect soft tissues, and less than 1% affect bone. In 1982, they were categorised by Mulliken and Glowacki as haemangiomas or vascular malformations, and an updated classification was subsequently published by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies. These lesions, however, continue to be termed haemangiomas and there is little attempt to differentiate between them. We report eight cases of intraosseous venous malformation that were inappropriately labelled as haemangioma by clinicians, pathologists, and radiologists. We highlight tailored management, and describe the clinical features, results of investigations to aid accurate designation (histological and immunohistochemical, including GLUT1 staining and cross-sectional imaging), and outcomes.

Keywords: GLUT-1; Venous malformation; haemangioma; intra osseous venous malformation; vascular malformation.