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Vascular Malformations

Babies, children and teens with various conditions of the blood and lymphatic vessels are treated in our Vascular Malformations Clinic. Some of the diagnoses include vascular malformations, complex infantile and congenital hemangiomas, LUMBAR syndrome, PHACES syndrome, PIKC3A-related overgrowth syndromes (PROS), and many others. Our multidisciplinary team is composed of pediatric subspecialists in dermatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), interventional radiology, and plastic surgery.

Vascular Malformations

The vascular system is the network of natural plumbing that, among other duties, helps the heart and lungs push oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to your child’s organs, tissues and brain. When the vascular system is healthy and functioning, it delivers the energy a kid needs to run, skip, jump and drive a parent crazy with questions about everything.

However, in rare cases a child can be born with what’s called a vascular malformation. It’s a kind of birth defect — a problem that occurred during development in the womb, causing these vessels to develop abnormally. Sometimes, that can result in disfiguring discoloration or swollen patches in a child’s skin. In more serious cases, vascular malformations can cause ruptured blood vessels, bleeding, headaches and even seizures.

Does your child need evaluation for a port wine birthmark or other pediatric vascular malformation in El Paso, Texas? You’ll find the Vascular Malformations specialists and the answers your family needs at El Paso Children’s Hospital.

Read on for more information about vascular malformations, how to spot them in kids and some of the treatment options we offer.

Examples of Pediatric Vascular Malformations

Venous malformations are abnormal vein formations that can slow blood flow and cause pain, swelling, or hard lumps and/or bleeding. They often appear as soft, blue-tinted, puffy areas on the skin and can occur anywhere on or inside the body, especially on the face, scalp, and limbs. Each malformation has a unique presentation.


How are Pediatric Vascular Malformations Treated?

Monitoring and Observation

In cases where a vascular malformation isn't causing immediate issues with a child's health, ability to function or their self esteem. Observation and monitoring through regular checkups can be the treatment plan. This is done if the issue begins getting worse or causing problems, close monitoring gives the treatment team the best chance to catch issues early and re-evaluate the plan of care.

Medication

Modern medicine is always seeking new drug therapies for issues that might have been hard to treat in the past, including vascular malformations. Thanks to this never-ending pursuit, there are medication options for many forms of vascular malformation. For example, corticosteroids are sometimes successful in shrinking certain types.

Embolization

Embolization is a minimally-invasive procedure used to treat certain types of vascular malformations. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the arm or groin, then guiding it through the body to the site of the malformation. Once in place, the tip of the catheter releases a special substance that helps block blood flow to the malformation, forcing it to shrink.

The Pediatric Vascular Malformation Specialists: El Paso Children's Hospital

We diagnose and treat a wide variety of issues that can result from pediatric vascular malformations, from calming nervous parents about their child’s moles to going to bat for kids whose health is threatened by more serious vascular issues. Our team has decades of collective experience, plus a team-wide dedication to finding and providing the latest and most effective treatment options. From the mundane to the dangerous, our vascular malformations team meet their match every time a child with these issues.

El Paso Children’s Hospital
4845 Alameda Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79905
Phone 915-298-5443

Medical Staff

Dr. Shauna Goldman
Shauna Goldman, MD, FAAD

Board Certified Dermatologist & Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologist

Dr. Yates
David Yates, DMD, MD, FACS

Medical Director, Cranial & Facial Clinic Surgeon

Shawn Diamond, M.D.
Shawn Diamond, M.D., FACS

Assistant Professor, Board Certified in General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Surgery of the Hand. Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Hand and Microsurgeon with Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso

Dr. Moorthy
Chetan S. Moorthy, MD

Board Certified Pediatric Interventional Radiologist

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Brenda Simpson, MD, FAAD

Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologist

Dr. Menendez
Silvia Menendez, DDS, MS

Board Certified Craniofacial Orthodontist

Conditions Treated