Non-invasive diagnostics of congenital vascular malformations

For the comprehensive assessment of congenital vascular malformations we use the combination of colour coded duplex sonography (CCDS), laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) and infrared thermography (IT) to get some evidence about the depth, perfusion and vascularity of the lesion. IT gives hints on low blood flow areas and indicates arterial-venous shunts. CCDS is the most important tool to describe the different types (arterial, venous, lymphatic) and combined forms of malformations. LDPI is a helpful method to get an impression of the superficial capillary part of vascular lesions. The combination of all imaging methods allows a complete assessment not only for describing a lesion but also in the monitoring of reducing pathologic vessels under laser treatment.