Blue-Purple Lump on the Lip: Haemangioma/Vascular Anomaly

Abstract

Vascular anomalies can be regarded as lesions arising from congenital errors in angiogenesis and are relatively common in the head and neck region. They usually present as bluish-purple soft and compressible lesions and tend to bleed profusely if traumatised. The classification and nomenclature for vascular anomalies are complex and encompass a diverse range of lesions of different origins, locations and pathogenesis. While a working diagnosis can be made based on history and clinical findings for most lesions, a histopathological examination may be required in some of the clinical appearances that are less conclusive. Any surgical interventions for diagnosis or treatment have to be performed with extreme care and appropriate measures to manage potential profuse intra-operative haemorrhage. Much progress has been made in the past two decades resulting in a better understanding of their biological behaviours, using modern imaging protocols, novel therapies and improvement of the conceptual framework on pathogenesis to underpin treatment decisions.