[Infantile vascular tumors]. / Tumores vasculares en la infancia.

The use in the past of an imprecise terminology to designate vascular tumors has contributed to its incorrect diagnosis, and as a consequence, to inadequate treatment. In childhood, different types of vascular tumors may be present. Hemangiomas of infancy are by far the most frequent, and other less common types are congenital hemangiomas (rapidly involuting or RICH and non-involuting or NICH), kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, angioblastoma or tufted angioma and pyogenic granuloma. The correct knowledge and diagnosis, always in a multidisciplinary setting, is required to reduce incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary complementary examinations and invasive tests, and for the patient to receive the most effective and precise treatment in each case. This article reviews the historical evolution, nomenclature and classification of vascular lesions, the different clinical and pathological characteristics of each vascular tumor, the complementary examinations required correct diagnosis, the differential diagnosis, as well as highlighting the treatment options currently available for different vascular tumors and related clinical conditions.

[Atypical vascular tumors of the gastrointestinal tract: four uncommon cases]. / Tumores vasculares atípicos del tracto gastrointestinal: cuatro casos poco frecuentes.

AIM: A small but significant percentage of vascular tumors may develop at extracutaneous location. They are difficult to detect on the physical exam and usually they require immediate intervention. Pediatric surgeons must have acknowledge of its prognostic and therapeutic implications. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: We report 4 of these patients. Patient 1 was a healthy newborn who presented in the second week of life, recurrent severe gastrointestinal bleeding, thrombocytopenia and anemia. Diagnosis of multifocal linfangioendoteliomatosis with thrombocytopenia was established. Patient 2 had prenatal diagnosis of ascites and presented at birth sepsis, anemia, thrombocytopenia and hypoproteinemia. Upon laparotomy hemorrhagic ascites and thickening of rectum-sigmoid wall and mesentery were found. Pathologic diagnosis was Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and the clinical course was consistent with Kassabach-Merrit phenomenon. Patient 3 had at birth, multifocal hepatic GLUT1- hemangiomatosis with severe cardiac insufficiency and coagulopathy. She died while waiting for a liver transplantation. Patient 4 is a girl who presented in the newborn period with vomiting and hematochezia. She required several transfusions and endoscopic biopsies showed a vascular tumor that infiltrated duodenum, jejunum and mesentery. Imaging studies and histologic findings on biopsy led to the diagnostic of juvenile hemangioma GLUT-1+. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular tumors of the digestive tract may be difficult to diagnosis and their classification is still incomplete. Pediatric surgeons must be acquainted with these varieties of tumors because they are always involved in diagnosis and therapeutic decision making.