Diagnosis

First, the doctor looks closely at the stain and assigns it to a probable diagnosis based on its appearance. The port-wine stain as such already has a characteristic appearance. With a glass spatula he presses on the stain and can thus distinguish it from a bleeding.

When pressure is applied, the enlarged vessels of the port-wine stain empty and it looks skin-colored. Further examinations of the skin like taking a sample or similar are not necessary. A differentiation to the haemangioma can be made by its appearance.

Although haemangiomas may resemble a port-wine stain in the first days of life, they change over the course of the weeks. This change is noticeable during regular examinations by the pediatrician. If a large port-wine stain appears near the eyes, an MRI of the skull is performed as well as an examination of the eyes.

Furthermore, if the presence of a syndrome is suspected, such as Sturge-Weber syndrome, a special further diagnostic procedure is arranged. Here, too, an MRI of the skull as well as a special examination of the eyes is necessary, since malformations in the eyes and brain often occur. Apart from vascular malformations, epileptic seizures are another symptom of Sturge-Weber syndrome. These are analyzed in more detail by means of an EEG.

Associated symptoms

The port-wine stain usually occurs without accompanying symptoms. It does not hurt or itch. Furthermore, it does not cause any impairment to the affected child.

The size of port-wine stains can vary greatly, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Accompanying symptoms only occur when the port-wine stain is part of a symptom complex in a syndrome. In Sturge Weber syndrome, possible accompanying symptoms are impaired vision, epileptic seizures and consequential damage in seizures that are difficult to treat.

Such consequential damages can be impairments of mental abilities. Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome is accompanied by pronounced vascular malformations. In addition, it usually results in unilateral giant growth, less frequently in short stature. The difference in length of the legs usually causes problems when walking.