Three Case Reports of Simple Vascular Malformations: Inappropriate, Perplexing and Interchangeable Use of Nosology by Clinicians and Pathologists

Abstract

Scientific articles and newer editions of medical text books show significant misapprehension among authors and scientific fraternities over the correct nosology for diagnosing and reporting vascular anomalies/malformations. This perplex have led to indiscriminate, inappropriate, and interchangeable use of terminologies while describing these vascular lesions, often resulting in incorrect diagnosis, unwarranted investigations, and improper treatment. It is often impossible to determine clinically and histopathologically whether the vascular lesion is a malformation or a neoplasm, with more than 50% of the vascular anomalies being diagnosed and termed incorrectly as hemangioma. With the help of three case reports of simple vascular malformations, each afflicting the capillaries, veins and lymphatics, we attempt to guide the clinicians in adhering to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification. We anticipate that this case report shall be the framework that helps clinicians and pathologists to avoid misdiagnosis and misreporting of vascular malformations.