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Anita N Haggstrom

Publications and source records attributed to Anita N Haggstrom.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Patterns of infantile hemangiomas: new clues to hemangioma pathogenesis and embryonic facial development.

OBJECTIVES: Large facial infantile hemangiomas have higher rates of complications than small localized hemangiomas, more often require treatment, and can be associated with neurological, ophthalmologic, and cardiac anomalies (PHACE syndrome). The anatomic patterns of these hemangiomas are often referred to as "segmental" despite a lack of precise anatomic definitions. Our study aims to define "segmental" hemangiomas based on clinically observed patterns. Our secondary goal is to relate the observed patterns to currently accepted developmental patterns to gain insight into hemangioma pathogenesis and craniofacial development. METHODS: Photographic data were extracted from a large cohort of patients with infantile hemangiomas. We mapped 294 hemangiomas and recorded common morphologic patterns. Anatomic descriptions of the most common patterns were described and compared with accepted concepts of craniofacial development. RESULTS: Four primary segments were identified (Seg1-Seg4). Seg2 and Seg3 correspond with the previously recognized maxillary and mandibular prominences. Seg1 and Seg4 differ from standard human embryology texts. The frontotemporal segment, Seg1, encompasses the lateral forehead, anterior temporal scalp, and lateral frontal scalp. The segment Seg4, encompassing the medial frontal scalp, nasal bridge, nasal tip, ala, and philtrum, is substantially narrower on the forehead than the previously described frontonasal prominence. CONCLUSIONS: The patterns provide new clues regarding facial development. The observed patterns resemble previously described facial developmental units on the lower face but are distinctly different on the upper face. The patterns suggest that neural crest derivatives may play a role in the development of facial hemangiomas. Finally, these patterns (Seg1-Seg4) help standardize the nomenclature of facial segmental hemangiomas to analyze more effectively hemangioma risks and behavior.

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Prospective study of infantile hemangiomas: clinical characteristics predicting complications and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Infantile hemangiomas are the most common tumor of infancy. Risk factors for complications and need for treatment have not been studied previously in a large prospective study. This study aims to identify clinical characteristics associated with complications and the need for therapeutic intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at 7 US pediatric dermatology clinics with a consecutive sample of 1058 children, aged < or = 12 years, with infantile hemangiomas enrolled between September 2002 and October 2003. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on each patient and each hemangioma, including clinical characteristics, complications, and treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of patients experienced complications related to their hemangioma(s), and 38% of our patients received some form of treatment during the study period. Hemangiomas that had complications and required treatment were larger and more likely to be located on the face. Segmental hemangiomas were 11 times more likely to experience complications and 8 times more likely to receive treatment than localized hemangiomas, even when controlled for size. CONCLUSIONS: Large size, facial location, and/or segmental morphology are the most important predictors of poor short-term outcomes as measured by complication and treatment rates.

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Clinical characteristics and management of vascular anomalies: findings of a multidisciplinary vascular anomalies clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the scope of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Vascular Anomalies Clinic (VAC), including the types of diagnoses, characteristics, and management of patients seen in the clinic. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Referral, outpatient, multidisciplinary clinic in a university system. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 175 patients seen in the VAC at UCSF from January 2001 to July 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis before and after clinic visit, symptoms, treatment recommendations, age of onset, age at clinic visit, location of lesion, sex, and type of referring physician. RESULTS: A total of 96% of patients had cutaneous involvement, 71% of patients had vascular malformations, and 14% had infantile hemangiomas. Fifty-eight percent of patients were referred from outside the UCSF system. Of the patients who had not been previously seen by members of the VAC team or UCSF dermatologists, only 22% had been assigned correct specific diagnoses before coming to the VAC, and 13% had incorrect specific diagnoses before coming to the VAC. Fifty-six percent of vascular malformations were first noted at birth and 17% were noted at later than 10 years of age. Eighty-seven percent of patients were symptomatic from their vascular lesion. Sixty-six percent of patients underwent prior magnetic resonance imaging of their lesion. Further diagnostic workup was recommended in 43% of cases, and treatment recommendations were made in 83% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Significant confusion still exists regarding the appropriate terminology, diagnosis, and management of vascular anomalies. Multidisciplinary clinics effectively address these complicated and troubling disorders by providing accurate diagnoses, clear treatment recommendations, and counseling from a team of specialists.

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