[Vascular malformation in head and neck: a clinicopathological analysis of 675 cases]

Objective: To investigate the histopathological subtype and clinical characteristics of vascular malformations in the head and neck. Methods: All patients with head and neck vascular malformations referred to Henan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023 were collected, and the clinicopathological features were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Results: A total of 675 patients were included, there were 293 male and 382 female patients with a mean onset age of (26.2±21.8）years and a mean diagnosis age of (31.8±20.6）years. Most vascular malformations were located in oral and maxillofacial region (52.1%, 352/675), with an average diameter of (28.0±19.8）mm. Venous malformations were the most common (71.4%, 482/675). There were 230 patients presented with simultaneous phenomenon, and of them the thrombus was most commonly noted (66.5%, 153/230). Venous malformations more frequently occurred in patients who were older than 20 years, extracranial in site, and mostly involved female patients with complications. Combined vascular malformation more frequently occurred in patients who were under 20 years old, extracranial in site, and mostly involved female patients. Capillary malformations more frequently occurred in patients under 20 years old, extracranial in site, and no complications occurred. Lymphatic vessel malformation more frequently occurred in patients who were under 20 years old, extracranial in site, female and with no complications. Arteriovenous malformations were more common in the intracranial and most of them were without any complications. Two cases (2/21) were associated with PIK3CA gene mutation. There were 109 patients with recurrence after initial treatment. Conclusions: Vascular malformations in the head and neck are more commonly found in the extracranial and maxillofacial regions, and venous malformations are the most common type; while arteriovenous malformations are more common in the intracranial site. Appropriate diagnosis is the premise of appropriate treatment.