Birthmark Health Dictionary

A birthmark caused by abnormal distribution of blood vessels. Types of haemangioma include portwine stains, stork marks, and strawberry naevi. They generally disappear without leaving a scar by 5–7 years.

Haemangiomas do not usually require treatment. However, a haemangioma that bleeds persistently or that looks unsightly may need to be removed, by laser treatment, cryosurgery, radiotherapy, embolization, or plastic surgery.... haemangioma

This is one of the most common of the congenital (present at birth) malformations. It is one of the three types of neural-tube anomaly, the other two being ANENCEPHALY and cranium bi?dum. It takes two main forms – spina bi?da occulta being much the commoner. There is a de?cit in the posterior part of the SPINAL COLUMN, usually in the LUMBAR region, and it is generally asymptomatic unless the underlying spinal cord is affected. Occasionally it is associated with a hairy patch or birthmark on the back, and a few children develop a mild spastic gait or bladder problems.

Much more serious is spina bi?da cystica, in which the spinal-wall defect is accompanied by a protrusion of the spinal cord. This may take two forms: a meningocele, in which the MENINGES, containing CEREBROSPINAL FLUID, protrude through the defect; and a meningomyelocele, in which the protrusion contains spinal cord and nerves.

Meningocele is less common and has a good prognosis. HYDROCEPHALUS and neurological problems affecting the legs are rare, although the bladder may be affected. Treatment consists of surgery which may be in the ?rst few days of life or much later depending upon the precise situation; long-term follow-up is necessary to pick up any neurological problems that may develop during subsequent growth of the spine.

Meningomyelocele is much more serious and more common, accounting for 90 per cent of all cases. Usually affecting the lumbo-sacral region, the range of severity may vary considerably and, while early surgery with careful attention in a minor case may achieve good mobility, normal bladder function and intellect, a more extensive protrusion may cause complete ANAESTHESIA of the skin, with increased risk of trauma; extensive paralysis of the trunk and limbs, with severe deformities; and paralysis and insensitivity of the bladder and bowel. Involuntary movements may be present, and hydrocephalus occurs in 80 per cent of cases. The decision to operate can only be made after a full examination of the infant to determine the extent of the defect and any co-existent congenital abnormalities. The child’s potential can then be estimated, and appropriate treatment discussed with the parents. Carefully selected patients should receive long-term treatment in a special centre, where full attention can be paid to all their various problems.

There is growing evidence of the value of vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy in reducing the incidence of spina bi?da. Parents of affected infants may obtain help, advice, and encouragement from the Association for Spina Bi?da and Hydrocephalus which has branches throughout the country, or the Scottish Spina Bi?da Association.... spina bifida

Abnormalities that are obvious at birth or detectable early in infancy. Also called congenital defects, they encompass both minor abnormalities, such as birthmarks, and serious disorders such as spina bifida.

Causes include chromosomal abnormalities, genetic defects, drugs taken during pregnancy, exposure to radiation, and infections. In some cases, the cause of a defect is unknown. Defects that are due to chromosomal abnormalities include Down’s syndrome. Some defects, such as achondroplasia and albinism, are usually inherited from 1 or both parents (see gene; genetic disorders). Certain drugs and chemicals (called teratogens) can damage the fetus if the mother takes or is exposed to them during early pregnancy. Teratogenic drugs include thalidomide (now rarely prescribed) and isotretinoin, which is used in the treatment of severe acne. Alcohol can affect the development of the brain and face (see fetal alcohol syndrome).

Irradiation of the embryo in early pregnancy can cause abnormalities. Very small doses of radiation increase the child’s risk of developing leukaemia later in life (see radiation hazards).

Certain illnesses, such as rubella (German measles) and toxoplasmosis, can cause birth defects if they are contracted during pregnancy.

Brain and spinal cord abnormalities, such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and congenital heart disorders (see heart disease, congenital) result from interference with the development of particular groups of cells. Other common defects include cleft lip and palate.

Ultrasound scanning and blood tests during pregnancy can identify women at high risk of having a baby with a birth defect. Further tests such as chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, or fetoscopy may then be carried out.... birth defects

The use of temperatures below freezing to destroy tissue, or the use of cold during surgery to produce adhesion between an instrument and body tissue.

Cryosurgery causes only minimal scarring and is used to treat cancerous tumours in sites where heavy scarring can block vital openings such as in the cervix, the liver, and the intestines.

It may be used in eye operations, for example in cataract surgery and treatment for retinal detachment.

It is also commonly used for removing warts, skin tags, some birthmarks, some skin cancers, and to treat haemorrhoids.... cryosurgery

Use of a laser beam in a variety of medical procedures. Highintensity laser beams cut through tissue and cause blood clotting. They can be used in surgery and to destroy abnormal blood vessels. Lasers are frequently used in ophthalmology to treat eye disorders, in gynaecology (for example, to unblock fallopian tubes), and to remove birthmarks and tattoos.... laser treatment

A purple-red birthmark that is level with the skin’s surface.

It is a permanent type of haemangioma.... port-wine stain

The skin is vulnerable to various disorders, including birthmarks and other naevi; infections that may be viral (such as cold sores and warts), bacterial (for example, cellulitis), or fungal (such as tinea, which causes athlete’s foot); rashes due to vitamin deficiency or the side effects of drugs; and tumours, both noncancerous and cancerous.

Acne is common in adolescents and is partly related to the action of androgen hormones.

Inflammation of the skin occurs in dermatitis, eczema, and skin allergy.

The skin is also vulnerable to injuries such as burns, cuts, and bites (see bites, animal; insect bites).... skin, disorders of the

A rare, congenital condition that affects the skin and the brain. Characteristically, a large purple birthmark (port wine stain) extends over one side of the face, including the eye. Malformation of cerebral blood vessels may cause weakness on one side of the body, progressive mental handicap, and epilepsy. Glaucoma may develop in the affected eye, leading to loss of vision.

Seizures can usually be controlled with anticonvulsant drugs.

In severe cases, brain surgery may be necessary.... sturge–weber syndrome

n. a benign tumour composed of blood vessels or lymph vessels. Cherry angiomas (or Campbell de Morgan spots) are small red spots on the trunk in middle-aged or elderly people. They are completely harmless and consist of a minor vascular malformation. An arteriovenous angioma (or malformation) is a knot of distended blood vessels overlying and compressing the surface of the brain. It may cause epilepsy, or one of the vessels may burst, causing a *subarachnoid haemorrhage or a haemorrhage within the brain (intracerebral haemorrhage). This type of angioma may be suitable for surgical removal or stereotactic radiotherapy (see stereotactic localization). It may be associated with a purple birthmark on the face: this is called the Sturge–Weber syndrome. Arteriovenous malformations may occur in many other parts of the body, where they are often asymptomatic. See also haemangioma; lymphangioma.... angioma

n. light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation: a laser is a device that emits light through such a process; it can be used to operate on small areas of abnormality without damaging the delicate surrounding tissues. For example, lasers are used to unblock coronary arteries narrowed by atheroma and to remove certain types of birthmark (see naevus). In ophthalmology different types of laser are used for operations on the cornea (see excimer laser), lens (see femtosecond laser), lens capsule (see YAG laser), and retina (see argon laser; diode laser) and for glaucoma (see trabeculoplasty). Lasers are also used in the treatment of *endometrial ablation and large fibroids (the Nd:YAG laser), *cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and varicose veins (*endovenous laser treatment).... laser

n. (pl. naevi) a birthmark: a clearly defined malformation of the skin, present at birth. There are many different types of naevi. Some, including the strawberry naevus and port-wine stain, are composed of small blood vessels (see haemangioma). The strawberry naevus (or strawberry mark) is a raised red lump usually appearing on the face and growing rapidly in the first month of life. These birthmarks slowly resolve and spontaneously disappear between the ages of five and ten. The port-wine stain (or capillary naevus) is a permanent purplish discoloration that may occur anywhere but usually appears on the upper half of the body. Laser treatment can reduce the discoloration. Occasionally a port-wine stain may be associated with a malformation of blood vessels over the brain, for example in the Sturge-Weber syndrome (see angioma).

It is not uncommon for a pale or white halo to develop around an ordinary pigmented naevus, especially on the trunk, forming a halo naevus. The pigmented naevus disappears over the course of a few months; this is followed by resolution of the pale area. A blue naevus is a small blue-grey papule appearing at birth or later in life, mainly on the extremities. Progression to malignant melanoma is very rare. A naevus of Ota is a blue-grey pigmented area on the cheek, eyelid, or forehead with similar pigmentation of the sclera of an eye. It is associated with melanomas of the uvea, orbit, and brain as well as with glaucoma of the affected eye. See also mole2.... naevus

an inherited syndrome in which *haemangioblastomas, particularly in the cerebellum, are associated with renal and pancreatic cysts, *angiomas in the retina (causing blindness), cancer of the kidney cells, and red birthmarks. [E. von Hippel (1867–1939), German ophthalmologist; A. Lindau (1892–1958), Swedish pathologist]... von hippel–lindau disease