[High flow vascular malformations in children].

Unlike hemangiomas and low-flow vascular malformations which are very common in children, arterial anomalies have small incidence. Differential diagnosis is difficult, and needs a physician familiarized with vascular anomalies. Appropriate treatment must be planned by multidisciplinary team considering the patient's age, and anatomical location. Twenty-eight children with high flow vascular malformations have been treated since 1990 at La Paz Children's Hospital Vascular Anomalies Program. We excluded of the study group patients with central nervous system lesions. 85% of the patients had malformation in stage I or II (according the ISSVA accepted Schöbinger stating) and most of them were erroneously diagnosed as hemangioms with a variety of inappropriate treatments previously performed. Doppler Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance confirmed malformation flow and extension. Angiography and selective embolization was only considered as therapeutic approach in candidates to surgical resection. 16 patients underwent complete resection of the malformation including one foot and two fingers amputation and five more incomplete resection of the ulcerate area. In conclusion, we did not find age at onset, sex and symptoms relationship. Laser, radiotherapy, surgical ligation or partial resection must be considered inappropriate therapies which may stimulate AVM exacerbation. Only radical surgical procedure after selective endovascular embolization will be successful but then reconstructive surgery should be performed to achieve good aesthetic and functional results.