The ISSVA classification of vascular anomalies encompasses all vascular malformations and tumors in a framework of internationally consistent nomenclature.
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Usage
It is one of the two most widely used classification systems, the other being the Hamburg classification system of vascular malformations.
Classification
The main organisational principle behind this classification divides vascular lesions into:
-
vascular tumors (neoplastic)
benign
locally aggressive or borderline
malignant
-
vascular malformations (non-neoplastic)
simple
combined
of major named vessels
associated with other anomalies
unclassified anomalies (unclear if tumor or malformation)
Vascular tumors
-
benign
congenital hemangiomas (rapidly involuting, non-involuting, partially involuting)
-
tufted angioma (+/- consumptive coagulopathy i.e. Kasabach Merritt syndrome)
possibly part of a spectrum along with Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma
epithelioid hemangioma
-
other:
hobnob hemangioma, microvenular hemangioma, microvenular hemangioma, anastomosing hemangioma, glomeruloid hemangioma, papillary hemangioma, intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, cutaneous epithelioid angiomatous nodule, acquired elastotic hemangioma, littoral cell angioma of the spleen
-
locally aggressive or borderline
-
Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (+/- consumptive coagulopathy i.e. Kasabach-Merritt syndrome)
possibly part of a spectrum along with tufted angioma
hemangioendothelioma not otherwise specified
-
-
malignant
others
Vascular malformations
-
simple
-
capillary malformation (CM)
nevus simplex/salmon patch ("angel kiss", "stork bite")
cutaneous and/or mucosal CM ("port-wine stain")
reticulate capillary malformation
capillary malformation of CM-AVM
cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita
-
venous malformation (VM)
common venous malformation
blue rubber bleb nevus (Bean) syndrome venous malformation
glomuvenous malformation (glomangioma)
familial intraosseous vascular malformation
verrucous venous malformation
others
-
lymphatic malformation (LM)
common (cystic) lymphatic malformation - macrocystic, microcystic, mixed cystic
lymphatic malformation in Gorham-Stout disease
channel-type lymphatic malformation
"acquired" progressive lymphatic anomaly (acquired progressive "lymphangioma")
-
primary lymphedema
primary hereditary lymphedema (VEGFC, GJC2/Connexin 47)
lymphedema-distichiasis
hypotrichosis-lymphedema-telangiectasia
primary lymphedema with myelodysplasia
primary generalized lymphatic anomaly (Hennekam lymphangiectasia-lymphedema syndrome)
microcephaly with or without chorioretinopathy, lymphedema, or intellectual disability
lymphedema-choanal atresia
arteriovenous malformations (AVM) (with a nidus of multiple shunts)
arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) (with one or more shunts)
-
-
combined
CM + VM (CVM)
LM + VM (LVM)
CM + LM + VM (CLVM)
CM + AVM + VM (CAVM)
CM + LM + AVM + VM (CLAVM)
-
of major named vessels ("channel type" or "truncal" vascular malformations)
various abnormalities affecting origin, course, number, length, diameter, valves, communication, and persistence of primitive vessels
-
those associated with other anomalies
limb capillary malformation + congenital non-progressive limb overgrowth
microcephaly - capillary malformation
CLAPO syndrome (lower lip CM + face & neck LM + asymmetry and partial/generalized overgrowth)
Provisionally unclassified vascular anomalies
intramuscular hemangioma (distinct from infantile hemangioma, common venous malformation)
angiokeratoma
sinusoidal hemangioma
acral arteriovenous "tumor"
multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis with thrombocytopenia/cutaneovisceral angiomatosis with thrombocytopenia (MLT/CAT)
PTEN hamartoma of soft tissue/"angiomatosis" of soft tissue (PTEN)
History and etymology
ISSVA is the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies. It is based on the initial classification published by Mulliken and Glowacki in 1982 and has since been updated with recognition of causal genetic mutations. The classification was most recently revised in May 2018 4.