Diagnostic criteria of vascular lesions in the face.

Diagnostic criteria of vascular lesions in the face were studied in a series of 57 patients investigated and treated during the years 1980 to 1990. Twenty-eight had hemangiomas and malformations, and 29 had telangiectasia. At present, the histological diagnoses are most commonly used to describe vascular lesions, but unfortunately this gives little idea of the actual appearance of the lesion. In the present study, the clinical appearance was compared and correlated with the findings at the time of surgery, with the angiographs, and with the histological diagnosis. An attempt was undertaken to coordinate the accepted clinical, microscopic, and angiographic classifications with our own results. Based on the modern concepts of pathology of angiogenesis and the conclusions drawn from our present investigation, the "new," unifying classification of vascular lesions was compiled. This classification is presented in the form of a diagram.