Superiority of diagnosis and treatment with multidisciplinary team in vascular anomalies

Abstract

Vascular anomalies are mainly divided into two types: vascular tumors and vascular malformations. According to biologic characteristics, vascular tumors are classified into benign, locally invasive and malignant tumor. Vascular malformations are composed of capillary malformations, venous malformations, arterial malformations and so on. The clinical manifestations of vascular anomalies, involving skin, mucosa membrane, bones and muscles of extremities and eyes, are extremely complicated, therefore multidisciplinary team (MDT) of vascular anomalies, including department of dermatology, plastic surgery, invasive technology, ophthalmology, radiology, ultrasound, pathology, should be included. Dermatologists are good at diagnosing vascular anomalies by differentiating the lesions with eyes or dermoscopy, but we often require the assistance from ultrasonography for determining flow, velocity, direction of blood. The diagnosis level of ultrasound doctors is closely associated with clinical experience, hence we also need the aid from radiologists who can use vascular sequence in MRI or CT to detect vessels. Histopathology, confirming benign or malignant tumors, tissue origin, can decide the treatment scheme and operation mode. Laser, intense pulsed light and photodynamic therapy are insufficient for treating complicated vascular anomalies in dermatological research, and excision, skin-grafting and interventional therapy are applied to treat these diseases. Patients with vascular diseases generally visit different departments which are sometimes improper. In order to diagnose and treat vascular anomalies better, relevant disciplines should strengthen communication. Our MDT of vascular anomalies already consulted 20 patients and the patients acquired the right and effective treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to establish MDT of vascular diseases which can improve the rate of correct diagnosis and give a right treatment.