[On the classification of vascular structures in children]

Vascular structures are a common childhood pathology that may cause not only the development of extensive cosmetic defects but also functional disorders of respiration, swallowing, vision, and hearing. These conditions not infrequently lead to severe disability and sometimes have a fatal outcome. The choice of the treatment modality depends on the type of the so-called "hemangiomas", the classification of these tumours remaining poorly developed. Our experience with the treatment of the children with these vascular structures (including those of "critical" localization) enabled us to propose a classification of vascular lesions according to which all vascular structures are subdivided into vascular hyperplasias, vascular malformations, and vascular tumour-like structures (both benign and malignant). It is believed that the rational use of this classification may be helpful for the choice of the adequate treatment strategies.