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Published on: June 15, 2020
Medial fronto-facial capillary malformations
Laura Sillard1, Christine Léauté-Labreze, Juliette Mazereeuw-Hautier
1Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Archet-2, University Hospital of Nice, France.
Insights
Facial medial capillary malformations (CM) present with wider extent and darker color than salmon patches, often showing incomplete resolution. These congenital conditions can have familial links and are associated with other vascular or neurological anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Facial medial capillary malformations (CM) are distinct from salmon patches due to their clinical presentation.
- Understanding their characteristics is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical characteristics of facial medial capillary malformations (CM).
- To differentiate these malformations from salmon patches based on extent, color, and resolution patterns.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of children from pediatric dermatology clinics.
- Retrospective analysis of clinical and photographic databases.
Main Results:
- Eighty-four children were included, with medial fronto-facial CM (FFCM) involving multiple facial areas.
- Incomplete resolution was observed in 71.1% of cases, with familial occurrence in 27.3%.
- Associated conditions included other CMs (67.8%), nape/occipital CM (63.8%), dorsal CM (13.4%), and diseases (33.3%), with neurological anomalies in 9.5%.
Conclusions:
- Congenital medial FFCM are characterized by wider median topography, darker color, and slower, often incomplete resolution.
- Familial cases are common, and while regression is slow, aesthetic outcomes are generally mild.
- No correlation was found between FFCM characteristics and associated extrafacial or neurological anomalies.
Objective:
To evaluate the characteristics of facial medial capillary malformations (CM), which differ from salmon patches by their wider extent, darker color, and incomplete resolution.
Study Design:
Children were prospectively recruited from pediatric dermatology clinics and retrospectively from clinical and photographic databases.
Results:
From June 2006 to June 2008, 84 children (56 girls; 66.6%) were included. The medial fronto-FCM (FFCM) involved the forehead and glabella (100%), upper eyelids (57.1%), nose (66.6%), philtrum (50.0%), and upper lip (22.6%). Extended forms were observed in 26.2%. A similar FFCM was observed within the family in 27.3% of cases. Outcome data showed complete regression in 10%, incomplete in 71.1%, and unchanging in 18%. An association with an extra facial CM was found 67.8%. Nape and/or occipital CM were associated in 63.8%. A median dorsal CM, mostly lumbosacral, was observed in 13.4%. An associated disease was seen in 33.3%. Neurological anomalies were observed in 9.5% (two cases of developmental delay, two of epilepsy, one of macrocephaly, one of cerebral arteriovenous malformation, one of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, one of "macrocephaly- cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita," and one of Rubinstein Taybi syndrome). No correlation between the site or the extent of the FFCM and extrafacial vascular or neurological anomaly was found.
Conclusions:
This study identifies a specific type of congenital medial FFCM that looks like salmon patch but has a wider median topography, a darker color, with slower and often incomplete resolution. Family cases are often observed. Despite their slow and incomplete regression, the aesthetic consequences are mild.

