Port-wine stain. A port-wine stain or nevus flammeus is almost always a birthmark.[1] It is caused by a vascular anomaly (a capillary malformation in the skin).[2] Port-wine stains ordinarily persist throughout life.[3] The area of skin affected grows in proportion to general growth.
Port-wine stains occur most often on the face but can appear anywhere on the body, particularly on the neck and upper trunk.[1][4] Early stains are usually flat and pink in appearance. As the child matures, the color may deepen to a dark red or purplish color.[1] In adulthood, thickening of the lesion or the development of small lumps may occur.[1][5] They are called port wine for their reddish color.
Port-wine stains may be part of a syndrome such as Sturge–Weber syndrome or Klippel–Trénaunay–Weber syndrome.[1] Types[edit] A hand with a red port-wine stain Nevus flammeus may be divided as follows:[6] Genetics[edit] Diagnosis[edit] A physician can usually diagnose a port-wine stain based entirely upon the history and appearance. Port-wine stain - PubMed Health. Port Wine Stain : Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Port-Wine Stain - PediatricsConsultantLive.
Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Abstract of article: Photothermally Induced Vessel-Wall Necrosis After Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment: Lack of Response in Port-Wine Stains With Small Sized or Deeply Located Vessels. Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Abstract of article: Thermal Relaxation of Port-Wine Stain Vessels Probed In Vivo: The Need for 1-10-Millisecond Laser Pulse Treatment. Both the flashlamp-pumped dye laser and the long-pulsed tunable dye laser can improve results in port-wine stain therapy - Scherer - 2001 - British Journal of Dermatology. Port-wine stains unresponsive to pulsed dye laser: explanations and solutions - Lanigan - 2002 - British Journal of Dermatology. IPL technology: A review - Raulin - 2003 - Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Cryogen Spray Cooling and Higher Fluence Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment Improve Port-Wine Stain Clearance While Minimizing Epidermal Damage - Chang - 2001 - Dermatologic Surgery. Dynamic epidermal cooling in conjunction with laser-induced photothermolysis of port wine stain blood vessels - Nelson - 1998 - Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Port-wine stain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. A port-wine stain is a birthmark in which swollen blood vessels create a reddish-purplish discoloration of the skin.
Causes Port-wine stains occur in about 3 out of 1,000 people. In rare cases, port-wine stains are a sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. Symptoms Early port-wine stains are usually flat and pink in appearance. Exams and tests Your doctor can usually diagnose a port wine stain by looking at the skin. In unusual cases, a skin biopsy may be needed. An MRI or CT scan of the brain may also be done. Treatment Many treatments have been tried for port-wine stains, including freezing, surgery, radiation, and tattooing.
Laser therapy is most successful in eliminating port-wine stains. Outlook (Prognosis) Stains on the face respond better to laser therapy than those on the arms, legs, or middle of the body. Possible Complications Some stains may occasionally cause deformity and increasing disfigurement. When to Contact a Medical Professional References Enjolras O.