This is fascinating information! Thanks so much for writing me back!
It sounds like you've found the PERFECT doctor for your situation. Isn't that an amazing feeling? Especially when we're nervous about something and aren't sure about the answers. To feel like we're in the hands of a doctor (and a clinic) who knows everything there is to know about our situation is a huge weight off our shoulders.
The Mayo Clinic site has quite a bit of info on vascular malformations and their treatments. The treatments chosen generally reflect the complexity of the malformation itself. You may not know that until you have your appointment at the clinic (when is that, by the way?), but here's their info in case you do:
The Cincinnati Children's Hospital also has a page on this. Here's what they say about how vascular malformations are managed:
"Management of vascular malformations is dependent upon the type and location of the malformation as well as its depth. Observation and the use of supportive treatments (e.g., compression garments and drug therapy) are sometimes recommended. For lesions that are only superficial, laser therapy is commonly used. Lesions that are deep may, however, require surgical removal and other therapies such as sclerotherapy. While surgery is complex and was previously associated with the risk of blood loss, advances in technology now enable removal to be more safely performed. The management of combined vascular lesions is far more complex."
Here's a very informative page from the Vascular Disease Foundation; there are tabs across the top that say What is it?, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Glossary, FAQs and Resources:
http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/cvm/
And under Resources they have a few archived articles from their newsletter:
http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/cvm/resources.php
When you learn more from Dr. Lacey and the clinic, let us know what happens next. It sounds like there are various treatment options that may be appropriate for your son. Will you update us?
Did you know there's a National Organization for Vascular Anomalies? Their website says that one in 10 children is affected by some kind of vascular anomaly, which can include port wine stain birthmarks, hemangiomas, lymphatic malformations and others in addition to vascular malformations:
http://www.novanews.org/
It looks like they're trying to start a blog and some support forums. Maybe something to watch in the future?
Comment Reply
Kristin,
This is fascinating information! Thanks so much for writing me back!
It sounds like you've found the PERFECT doctor for your situation. Isn't that an amazing feeling? Especially when we're nervous about something and aren't sure about the answers. To feel like we're in the hands of a doctor (and a clinic) who knows everything there is to know about our situation is a huge weight off our shoulders.
The Mayo Clinic site has quite a bit of info on vascular malformations and their treatments. The treatments chosen generally reflect the complexity of the malformation itself. You may not know that until you have your appointment at the clinic (when is that, by the way?), but here's their info in case you do:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/vascular-center-sct/vascular-malformation-clinic.html?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=google&keyword=arizona_angioplasty_carotid&campaign=mca_endovascular&state=arizona&kw=vascular%20malformation&ad=3347092338&Network=Search&SiteTarget=&gclid=CLnf58XXnJ8CFR4Wawod60Jqcg
The Cincinnati Children's Hospital also has a page on this. Here's what they say about how vascular malformations are managed:
"Management of vascular malformations is dependent upon the type and location of the malformation as well as its depth. Observation and the use of supportive treatments (e.g., compression garments and drug therapy) are sometimes recommended. For lesions that are only superficial, laser therapy is commonly used. Lesions that are deep may, however, require surgical removal and other therapies such as sclerotherapy. While surgery is complex and was previously associated with the risk of blood loss, advances in technology now enable removal to be more safely performed. The management of combined vascular lesions is far more complex."
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/vascular/diagnose/malformation.htm
Here's a very informative page from the Vascular Disease Foundation; there are tabs across the top that say What is it?, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Glossary, FAQs and Resources:
http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/cvm/
And under Resources they have a few archived articles from their newsletter:
http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/cvm/resources.php
When you learn more from Dr. Lacey and the clinic, let us know what happens next. It sounds like there are various treatment options that may be appropriate for your son. Will you update us?
Did you know there's a National Organization for Vascular Anomalies? Their website says that one in 10 children is affected by some kind of vascular anomaly, which can include port wine stain birthmarks, hemangiomas, lymphatic malformations and others in addition to vascular malformations:
http://www.novanews.org/
It looks like they're trying to start a blog and some support forums. Maybe something to watch in the future?
January 11, 2010 - 9:09amThis Comment
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