Pearls and Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of Vascular Lesions

Vascular lesions in the head and neckVascular lesions in head and neck comprise a wide array of abnormalities present at birth or in childhood. Management of vascular lesions differs depending on the specific type. Although some vascular lesions have distinct clinical presentations that make the diagnosis straightforward, others may pose diagnostic and management challenges owing to the complex anatomy of the region. Commonly, their superficial component extends to deeper tissue, involves vital organs, and/or extends intracranially. While most vascular lesions are sporadic solitary entities, syndromic associations exist and thus must be ruled out in certain cases. Correct diagnosis is key to the appropriate management of vascular lesions. Numerous classifications and terms have been used to classify vascular lesions, making the task of diagnosis even more difficult. The International Society for the Studies of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA)International Society for the Studies of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) proposed the classification of vascular lesions. This system is used to classify and guide vascular lesions management. The purpose of this chapter is to review pearls and pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of vascular lesions.