[Vascular anomalies of the maxillofacial region]

513 cases with vascular lesions of oral and maxillofacial regions were followed from 1986 to 1990 by history, physical examination and pathological check. The vascular anomalies which had been termed "hemangioma" in the past were diagnosed anew according to new biological classification of vascular lesions proposed by Mulliken and Glowacki. Hemangioma and vascular malformation were completely different in clinical behavior and endothelial cell characteristics. Hemangiomas are often not present at birth, but appear during the 1st month. Its clinical behavior is that a proliferative phase is followed by a slow involution. Vascular Malformations are always present at birth and never regress, therefore the treatment of hemangioma and vascular malformation is different.