That spot is not a hemangioma: Identifying other vascular anomalies for the primary care provider

Abstract

Vascular anomalies are a broad spectrum of disorders that can be challenging to recognize, risking misdiagnosis. Primary care providers are often the first to evaluate these lesions and must distinguish between more common hemangiomas and rarer vascular malformations that require different management. With the growing availability of treatment approaches including medical therapies, timely referral and ongoing care with a specialty multidisciplinary vascular anomalies clinic is crucial for optimizing outcomes. This primer provides an overview of key diagnostic features, classification, and initial management strategies for primary care teams suspecting a new vascular anomaly diagnosis.