Vascular Anomalies Clinic

The Vascular Anomalies Clinic at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) specializes in treatment of infants, children and adults with vascular lesions. This is a multispecialty clinic formed to address the needs of patients with these complex lesions. The clinic is under the direction of Carol MacArthur, MD, Director (Pediatric Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery) and Alfons Krol, MD, Director (Pediatric Dermatology). Other specialists on our panel include Tom D. Wang, MD (Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery), Ken Lee, MD (Dermatologic Surgery); from the Department of Interventional Radiology: Frederick Keller, MD, Gary Nesbit, MD, Stanley Barnwell, MD, John Kaufman, MD, and George Luh, MD. Other specialists are available by referral from the departments of Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Hematology/Oncology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Vascular Surgery, Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery.

Hemangiomas, vascular malformations, and lymphatic malformations can be difficult to diagnose properly if one is not familiar with these lesions. Up to 50-60% of these lesions are diagnosed incorrectly, or are mistreated. While the uncomplicated hemangioma may be watched expectantly until it begins to involute, early intervention is often necessary and very beneficial for the more aggressive and complex vascular lesions. Our clinic provides the expertise to properly diagnose and recommend treatment and/or intervention for these lesions. Also, patients with these lesions often have to try to coordinate care between the many specialists they see. By seeing several specialists in one visit, coordinated care will be facilitated. Our clinic, in association with Doernbecher Children's Hospital and OHSU, offers the latest advances in diagnostic, medical, laser, and surgical technology including:

  • OK-432 sclerotherapy
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Computer Tomographic (CT) imaging, including Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), and Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA)
  • Angiography and embolization with particulate and liquid embolic agents
  • Ethanol sclerotherapy
  • Local and systemic steroid therapy
  • Alpha interferon therapy
  • Surface and intralesional laser therapy,using pulsed dye, KTP, Nd:YAG, and carbon dioxide lasers
  • Multidisciplinary surgical resection


We diagnose and treat:

  • Hemangiomas
  • Vascular malformations (venous malformations, arterio-venous malformations/AVM's, port-wine stains)
  • Lymphatic malformations (sometimes called cystic hygromas)
  • Hemangio-endotheliomas
  • Kassabach-Merritt syndrome

Our Procedures:

  • Laser ablation
  • Steroid injections
  • Injection of sclerosing agents
  • Surgical excision and reconstructive surgery
  • Angiographic and percutaneous embolization

Specialized equipment:

  • Pulsed dye lasers
  • CO2 lasers
  • Nd/YAG lasers
  • KTP lasers

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