Management of Capillary Malformations

Capillary malformation (CM), or port wine birthmark, is a congenital low-flow vascular malformation of dilated capillaries and postcapillary venules. It often affects the face and may darken, thicken, or develop nodules over time. Most CMs are isolated but can be associated with syndromes such as Sturge-Weber, characterized by a facial CM, leptomeningeal vascular malformation, and ocular findings such as glaucoma. CMs also occur in other syndromes, emphasizing the need for thorough clinical evaluation. Management is multidisciplinary, with pulsed-dye laser as the gold standard treatment; excision may be required for tissue overgrowth.