title: Surgical management of head and neck vascular anomalies in children: a retrospective analysis of 42 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aimed to present a series of surgically treated head and neck vascular anomalies during a 12-year period, highlighting the epidemiology, diagnostic approach, indications for surgery, and final clinical outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of all patients with head and neck vascular anomalies, surgically treated at our department from 1998 to 2010, were reviewed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 42 patients with 46 vascular anomalies were identified. Patients' diagnoses included vascular tumors, hemangiomas mainly (18 cases), and various vascular malformations (26 cases). All patients were submitted to surgical treatment (excision-resection) to resolve main clinical symptoms (ulceration, bleeding, impaired mastication and feeding, airway obstruction) and/or esthetic issues. Recurrence was noted in 3 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accurate differential diagnosis based on history, physical examination, and imaging, is the key to optimal treatment. Surgical intervention is warranted for small to moderately extended lesions to avoid complications and/or esthetic concerns and psychosocial distress.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: lygidakis-nadia@ath.forthnet.gr.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theologie-Lygidakis
authors.affiliation: Clinical Assistant, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ourania K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Schoinohoriti
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tzerbos
authors.affiliation: Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iatrou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006115:Greece; D006257:Head / Q000473:pathology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*