A port-wine stain or nevus flammeus is a vascular anomaly consisting of superficial and deep dilated capillaries in the skin which produce a reddish to purplish discoloration of the skin. They are so called for their colour, resembling that of port wine. It is part of the family of disorders known as vascular malformations, specifically an arteriovenous malformation.
The two terms are not always equated. Sometimes the term "nevus flammeus" is divided into two categories: port-wine stain and salmon patch.
Port-wine stains are present at birth and persist throughout life. The area of skin affected grows in proportion to general growth. Port-wine stains occur most often on the face but can appear anywhere on the body. Early stains are usually flat and pink in appearance. As the child matures, the color may deepen to a dark red or purplish colour. In adulthood, thickening of the lesion or the development of small lumps may occur.
Port-wine stains may be part of a syndrome such as Sturge-Weber syndrome or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.
Read more about Port-wine Stain: Types, Genetics, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis, Epidemiology
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