Vascular Malformations Of The Oral Cavity In Children And Young Adolescents – Insights Into Their Pathogenesis.

Vascular anomalies are congenital errors in vasculogenesis. They comprise of vascular tumors (hemangiomas) and vascular malformations (venous malformations, arteriovenous malformations, lymphatic malformations). Lymphatic malformations or lymphangiomas are uncommon congenital malformations of the lymphatic vessels filled with a clear protein rich fluid containing few lymph rich cells. Large lymphangioma extending into tissue spaces of the neck is reffered to as cystic hygroma. Advancements in the knowledge of pathogenesis of such vascular malformations is continuously changing their treatment protocols. Early recognition is of utmost importance for initiation of proper treatment, and avoiding serious complications. Lymphangiomas are further subclassified microscopically into capillary, cavernous, cystic and lymphangioendothelioma depending upon its histopathological features. Haemangiolymphangioma is a variant of lymphangioma showing vascular component. Herewith, we present a case of vascular malformation diagnosed as haemangiolymphangima, histopathologically in a 5 year old girl. On the contrary, it is argued that instead of being a congenital malformation, lymphangioma is a true neoplasm resulting from transformed lymphatic endothelial cells and/ or stromal cells.