Port wine stains

Question 1

What is a port wine stain?

Answer 1

It is a vascular birthmark.

Question 2

Is it usually bilateral or unilateral?

Answer 2

Usually unilateral

Question 3

Do they spontaneously resolve over time?

Answer 3

No.

They usually darken and become raised.

Question 4

What other conditions are port wine stains associated with?

Answer 4

• Glaucoma - if around the eyes
• Sturge-Weber syndrome - if on scalp, forehead or around eyes then there may be venous malformations on surface of the brain.
• Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome - Extra growth of the limb that the port wine stain is on.

Question 5

What is the treatment for a port wine stain?

Answer 5

• Cosmetic camoflauge
• Laser therapy