The Place of Sonography in the Diagnostic Work-Up of Haemangiomas and Vascular Malformations

While in one of three children a vascular birthmark may be a transient finding, in one of hundred children a persisting vascular soft tissue malformation is seen, which warrants further diagnostic work-up. An exact diagnosis is crucial for assessment of the prognosis and future evolution of the lesion as well as for efficient treatment. In experienced hands, sonography can be used as a first line modality since, together with color Doppler and spectral wave analysis, it allows for a simple but exact differentiation of these lesions in many cases. In addition sonography is well tolerated especially in children. Besides its diagnostic impact, sonography is also well suited for the guidance of interventional treatment, such as percutaneous sclerotherapy. In this Original article, the strengths and weaknesses of sonography are discussed in detail.