What is a Rare Venous Malformation?
When veins develop abnormally, they can form what is known as a venous malformation. Vascular malformations present in a variety of ways. They can be small and discrete or large and diffuse. They may be superficial or deep. In the most severe form, venous malformations can be very deforming.
They are typically present at birth and can grow proportionately with the individual. Varicose veins sometimes may be confused for venous malformations, however, treatment is not necessarily very different.
Symptoms can include swelling, pain, and poor cosmetic appearance. When venous malformations infiltrate muscles and bones, they can cause weakness, stiffness, osteoporosis and brittle bones. Sometimes, firm nodules or calcifications (aka, phleboliths) may be felt inside these lesions. These are usually harmless. Despite these symptoms, which may come and go, patients generally are very functional and can have productive lives.
As with other vascular malformations, there is much confusion in proper diagnosis. These lesions may be referred to as “cavernoushemangiomas.” This is a misnomer since true hemangiomas are considered benign tumors and behave much differently than venous malformations. In turn, improper diagnosis can lead to ineffective and unnecessary treatments that can potentially lead to disability or disfigurement. Surgical intervention and injections to reduce the size of venous malformations (aka, sclerotherapy) may be used separately or in conjunction to minimize symptoms. Often, patients are subjected inappropriately to multiple sessions of laser therapy, resulting in inadequate relief of symptoms and lack of cosmetic improvement.
Dr. Panossian is skilled in the proper diagnosis and interventions necessary for children and adults seeking relief of their symptoms due to venous malformations. Make an appointment today for a consultation.
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Why choose Dr Panossian
- He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
- Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
- Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
- Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
- Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
- Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
- Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
- Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
- Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
- Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.
Last modified by Dr. Andre Panossian
