title: Clinical Approaches to Vascular Anomalies of the Lip.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of vascular anomalies in the head and neck is higher than in the extremities. It is especially common for vascular anomalies to involve the lip. The lips are a functionally and aesthetically important component of the head and neck area. A retrospective analysis of data from our vascular anomaly center was performed in order to understand the characteristics and treatment requirements of vascular anomalies of the lip and to establish which treatments are likely to lead to the best outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of patients diagnosed with vascular anomalies of the upper or lower lip from January 2001 to September 2013. Using clinical photographs, radiologic findings, and patient records, the diagnosis of each case and the location of the vascular anomaly were recorded, along with information about treatment and follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,606 patients were diagnosed with vascular anomalies over this time period, of whom 127 (7.9%) were found to have vascular anomalies in the lip only. Surgical treatment with or without embolization, sclerotherapy, laser therapy, medication only, and observation were the treatment strategies adopted in these cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular anomalies of the lip should be diagnosed accurately. Radiologic diagnosis played a crucial role in treatment planning, and several techniques were used to treat vascular anomalies of the lip. When surgical excision is indicated for the correction of vascular anomalies of the lip, the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the lip should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Yeop
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Kang Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Dug
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Chae
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Vascular Anomaly Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. ; Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok-Jong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Vascular Anomaly Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. ; Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Vascular Anomaly Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. ; Department of Vascular Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. ; Vascular Anomaly Center, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chung
keywords: Lip; Plastics; Vascular diseases