title: Histopathological reporting of paediatric cutaneous vascular anomalies in relation to proposed multidisciplinary classification system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The terminology applied to vascular anomalies has been variable in previously published literature making interpretation suboptimal. The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) has proposed a revised classification based on clinical features and histopathological findings. This classification is increasingly being accepted as clinically useful and a platform for future studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the extent to which the ISSVA classification can be practically applied to diagnostic histopathological specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cutaneous vascular lesions received in a single paediatric pathology unit during a 2-year period (2004-5) were reviewed, including glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1) immunostaining where required, and lesions were reclassified according to the ISSVA classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  144 specimens were identified. Appropriate full clinical information was provided in only 17% of cases at submission. Infantile haemangiomas comprised 46% of cases, 18% of which were regressive type, initially inaccurately identified as vascular malformations before GLUT1 immunostaining. 30% of lymphatic malformations and all lymphovenous malformations were previously classified as vascular malformations, not otherwise specified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ISSVA classification of vascular anomalies provides a useful framework for histopathologists to classify vascular anomalies. However, meaningful and appropriate use of such a system is dependent on the adequacy of clinical information provided and routine use of immunohistochemical markers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Adnani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rampling
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashworth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Sebire
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000002:abnormalities; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D044148:Lymphatic Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; C495677:SLC2A1 protein, human