About this Research Topic

Background

Vascular anomalies are abnormalities or disorders of the vascular or lymphatic system, with a relatively higher prevalence in the head and neck region. According to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA), vascular anomalies are classified as either vascular tumors or malformations. Vascular tumors can be benign, locally aggressive, or malignant; hemangioma is considered the most common type. For benign tumors, hemangioma is divided into infantile and congenital hemangioma; given the onset time, both are endowed with unique natural history. When it comes to locally aggressive tumors, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma are prone to cause thrombocytopenia among affected infants and children, known as the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. Malignant tumors include angiosarcoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, etc.

Different from vascular tumors, vascular malformations are mostly occurred before birth. In the light of the hemodynamics, vascular malformations can be sorted into the low-blood flow (capillary malformation [CM], venous malformation [VM], and lymphatic malformation [LM]) and high-blood flow (arteriovenous fistula [AVF] and arteriovenous malformation [AVM]). According to ISSVA, vascular malformations are divided into simple type, combined type, vascular malformations of major named vessels, and vascular malformations associated with other anomalies. Thanks to the significant development of molecular genetics, our understanding of vascular malformations has gradually shifted from a macroscopic level to a microscopic one. Nowadays, congenital gene mutations are the broadly acceptable etiology of vascular malformations, including somatic or germline types. For example, cutaneous or mucosal CM is considered the somatic mutation of GNAQ/GNA11; common VM is caused by somatic mutation of TEK, whereas sporadic AVM results from MAP2K1 somatic mutation. Some genetic diseases, such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia or capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation, happen due to the germline mutation of (ENG, ACVRL1, SMAD4) and (RASA1, EPHB4), respectively.

In the complex category and comprehensive system of vascular anomalies, scientists and clinicians are still confronting tremendous challenges in fundamental, clinical, and translational research. An ideal animal model for basic science is still absent for hemangioma; although PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/MAPK signaling pathways have been studied in vascular malformations, exploration of other molecular mechanisms is inadequate. It also should be noted that multidisciplinary treatment pattern is especially highlighted in treating vascular anomalies, such as pediatrics, neurology, head and neck surgery, dermatology, radiology, plastic surgery, etc. Compared with traditional surgical modalities, the prominence of interventional radiology (IR) and neuro-IR have provided a less invasive, more precise, and quick-action approach to manage vascular anomalies and related emergency medicine.

Therefore, we welcome authors to submit:
1. Methodological manuscripts concentrating on multidisciplinary collaborations, ranging from diagnostic techniques (inclusive of physical examinations and imaging modalities), IR/neuro-IR procedures, and surgical strategies (such as sclerotherapy, embolization, surgical resection, etc.), to prognostic evaluation of vascular anomalies;
2. Basic and translational research articles concerning vascular anomalies, with an emphasis on genetic influences, molecular biology, and targeted therapeutic approaches;
3. Review articles providing a comprehensive overview of both the current cutting-edge breakthroughs and future advancements within the realm of vascular anomalies.

All papers include but are not limited to the head and neck region. For research focused on the head and neck part, please submit to the Frontiers in Neurology; otherwise, studies on other body parts should better fit Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. Discussion on extracranial and intracranial lesions perfectly matches our Research Topic. Manuscripts should adhere to the journal's formatting guidelines and ethical standards.

Keywords: vascular malformation, venous malformation, arteriovenous malformation, hemangioma, diagnosis; sclerotherapy, embolization; prognosis, mechanism, genetics

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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