Venous, lymphatic and arteriovenous malformations are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed and left untreated for years. Dr Tarr provides a dedicated, fellowship-trained malformation service, image-guided sclerotherapy and embolisation, staged and planned around your life.
Vascular malformations are usually congenital abnormalities of venous, lymphatic, arterial or mixed channels that may enlarge or become symptomatic over time. They can cause swelling, aching, heaviness, skin changes, bleeding, or pain with exercise, periods or alcohol, anywhere in the body. Because they are uncommon and cross specialty boundaries, some patients spend years being told a lesion is “just a birthmark” or without a clear management pathway.
Treatment is matched to the malformation's type and flow. Venous and lymphatic malformations are treated with image-guided sclerotherapy: a fine needle placed directly into the malformation under ultrasound delivers a medication that scars the abnormal channels closed. High-flow arteriovenous malformations are treated by embolisation, blocking the abnormal connections from inside the vessels. Larger malformations are treated in planned stages, and combined lesions are co-managed with plastic, ENT or vascular surgical colleagues where resection plays a role.
Clinical assessment and MRI-based mapping define the malformation's type, extent and flow, which determines the treatment plan.
Treatment goals and the likely number of sessions are discussed up front.
Day case under sedation or general anaesthesia depending on site. Swelling after sclerotherapy is expected and settles over days.
Response is assessed clinically and with imaging; further sessions are planned only if they will add benefit.
Most patients achieve meaningful and lasting symptom reduction with staged treatment, and many simply value finally having a diagnosis and a plan. The aim is usually durable symptom control rather than complete anatomical eradication, and larger lesions may require staged or repeat treatment.
Risks depend on site and type: expected post-sclerotherapy swelling and tenderness; uncommon skin injury or nerve irritation near superficial lesions; and for AVM embolisation, the small risks of non-target embolisation, all discussed specifically for your lesion before anything is booked.
No. Infantile haemangiomas are tumours of infancy that usually regress; malformations are structural vessel abnormalities that persist and grow with you. Correct classification changes treatment entirely, which is why MRI mapping comes first.
Small malformations sometimes, larger ones rarely. Staged sessions are the norm and you'll get a realistic estimate up front. Beware any promise of single-session cures for large lesions.
Children's malformations are best managed in paediatric multidisciplinary services; Dr Tarr can advise referrers on appropriate pathways and takes over care in adulthood.
Combined lesions do best with combined care, sclerotherapy or embolisation to shrink and devascularise, surgery to resect what remains. Dr Tarr co-manages with plastic, ENT and vascular colleagues routinely.
Selected sources supporting the information on this page. General information only, not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Reviewed by Dr Gregory Tarr; last reviewed September 2026.