2009 Volume 20 Issue 1 Pages 19-23
Venous malformation is a rare condition categorized in the vascular malformation. Vascular malformation itself is also categorized as one of the two major categories for the vascular anomalies by the ISSVA (International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies) classification. However, there are many classifications for the vascular anomalies and it has led to the misunderstanding of the disease. The often used term “Cavernous hemangioma” might be incorrect and should be called venous malformation.
The present case is a 61-year-old female. She noticed a soft mass on her left leg 6 months ago and it grew larger. When she came to our hospital, the soft mass was about 4 cm in size and it looked like a lipoma. The ultrasonography with color Doppler imaging was done. Arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous malformations were ruled out and it was diagnosed as a solitary venous malformation. Total resection of them ass was done, however, there were no apparent connecting vessels. Histopathological examination diagnosed the mass as the cavernous hemangioma. The post operative course was uneventful and there are no recurrence to the date.
Most of the venous malformations are apparent from birth and usually enlarge until puberty, but this case seemed to have developed the venous malformation at the age of 61. Furthermore, venous malformations usually have connecting vessels, but this case did not. These points make this case unique and leave us the questions for the pathogenesis of the venous malformation.
