Extensive facial vascular malformations and haemangiomas: a review of the literature and case reports

Abstract

We present 6 selected cases of extensive facial vascular anomalies extending to the skull base or actually involving it. These patients are compared with other cases in the literature. The spontaneous course of these vascular lesions is different and so variable treatment modalities are suggested depending on the age of the patient and the type of lesion. In young children, haemangiomas are common and spontaneous involution is characteristic. Conservative treatment in the sense of a wait-and-see approach is thereby favoured if there is no urgent indication such as involvement of essential structures, e.g. blockage of an orifice as demonstrated in one case or complications such as excessive bleeding. Vascular malformations most commonly appear in adults, there is no tendency to spontaneous involution and resection is usually necessary, especially in arteriovenous malformations. Nowadays, preoperative superselective embolization is recommended to minimize intraoperative blood loss. Superselective embolization is the treatment of choice in cases of a-v fistulae. Proximal ligation of the supplying arteries should be avoided because this may make embolization more difficult, and may be responsible for the common occurrence of rapid revascularization.