Venous Malformations

What Is a Venous Malformation (VM)?

A venous malformation (VM) is a place in the body where veins haven't developed in the usual way. Veins in a VM tend to be larger and more tangled than normal veins. A venous (VEE-nis) malformation close to the skin usually looks like a maroon, blue, or purple spot.

Kids who have VMs are born with them. A VM might not be visible until later when it has gotten bigger or its veins have stretched. Venous malformations that are deep in the muscles or body might not be found until a child has pain or swelling. A VM grows as a child grows, and also might be more noticeable in response to injury or partial removal.

Diagram showing normal veins and the larger, more tangled veins that happen with a venous malformation.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Venous Malformation (VM)?

Kids with a venous malformation may have these symptoms:

one or more maroon, purple, or bluish spots on the skin
a bulge or swelling in the skin with no unusual color
a bluish spot on the skin that gets bigger during or after physical activity; or when the child is bearing down, crying, or in a position where the spot is below heart level
pain
bleeding

What Causes Venous Malformations?

Venous malformations are the most common type of vascular malformation (also called vascular anomalies). These are problems that happen when blood vessels (arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels) don't develop as they should.

Most have no clear cause, but a few are due to genetic conditions and may run in families.

Some rare genetic conditions that include VMs are:

blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS): There are one or more VMs in the skin and the digestive tract.
glomuvenous malformations (GVMs): These bluish nodules can be painful or sensitive to cold temperatures. They're usually near the fingers and toes, and may run in families.
Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: This complicated disorder includes a combination of vascular anomalies, overgrowth of bone and other tissues, and varicose veins.
cutaneomucosal venous malformations: Also called multiple cutaneous and mucosal venous malformations or VMCM, these VMs affect the skin and mucous membranes (moist areas of the body, such as the inside of the mouth).

How Is a Venous Malformation Diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose a venous malformation based on a child's health history, pictures and imaging of the VM, and an exam.

To learn more about how the VM is attached to other blood vessels and to see if internal organs are affected, the doctor may order these imaging tests:

an ultrasound, to check the structure and depth of a skin VM
an MRI, for a 3D picture of the VM and to look for VMs in internal organs
a CT scan, to create images of VMs affecting bones

How Is a Venous Malformation Treated?

Venous malformations can be very hard to treat, and often remain after treatment. So they're usually treated only if they:

cause pain or deformity
harm body functions such as breathing or vision
cause bleeding that happens often, is hard to stop, or involves internal organs (such as the stomach, liver, or intestines)

A vascular anomaly specialist should check VMs in sensitive areas, such as the face, neck, hands, or feet or those that affect internal organs.

Treatment may involve doctors from several different specialties and include:

sclerotherapy: injection of a chemical into a VM to shrink it. This usually is done by an interventional radiologist (a doctor who specializes in minimally invasive, targeted treatments)
surgery: an option when the VM is small or in the digestive tract. Complete removal is essential to keep the VM from coming back.
combined therapy: Surgery, in combination with sclerotherapy, can improve appearance or function.
compression garments: These tight-fitting clothes press on the VM to ease swelling, pain, and the potential for injury and bleeding.
cutaneous laser: treatments at the surface of the skin to reduce discoloration
endovascular laser: A tiny laser fiber is put into veins of the VM to try to close them. This also may be done by an interventional radiologist.
medicines: Doctors might use medicines when other treatments aren't successful, or in combination with sclerotherapy or surgery.

What Else Should I Know About Venous Malformations?

VMs grow along with a child, so tend to get bigger as the child grows. Regular follow-up with your doctor is important.

Research continues into treatments and ways to prevent regrowth after treatment. New medicines and genetic research for these and other vascular problems are advancing. New treatments might be available in the next few years.

Kids may feel shy or embarrassed about how a venous malformation looks. Be sure to support your child emotionally. It can help to find a local support group where other families can talk about what works for them. Ask your child's care team for recommendations. You also can look online at: