Vascular malformations are lesions involving an abnormal growth of blood vessels.  They can involve the lymphatic system, the veins, or arteries and veins.  In general terms, lesions are termed hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, arteriovenous malformations or venous vascular malformations.

To help see what type of lesion you or a loved one may have:  http://www.birthmark.org/chart.php

What are Venous Vascular Malformations?

The most common lesions coming for treatment involving the head, neck or face are venous malformations.  Venous malformations are collections of extra veins that are present since birth but get larger with time.  They can lead to swelling or expansion with straining or when the head is below the level of the heart.  On the surface, depending on how close to the skin they are, they can look bluish in colour.

http://www.birthmark.org/venous_malformations.php

What treatments are available?

Treatments for vascular malformations are given when the lesion causes pain, functional impairment, or cosmetic disfigurement. Venous vascular malformations generally do not present with bleeding, something which is common with arteriovenous malformations.  Surgical treatment can be used to remove the mass of the venous malformation, but often the underlying nerves and cosmetic appearance may be compromised by radical surgery.  Using small needles with X-ray guidance, transcutaneous transvenous embolization, also called sclerotherapy, is a method that allows venous malformations to be treated by injection of a material that injures the lining of the malformation allowing it to scar internally and heal.