Are capillary malformations neurovenular or purely neural?

Capillary malformations (port-wine stains) are the most common vascular malformations, occurring in 0.3 to 2.1 percent of newborns.1–3 The majority of capillary malformations are found in the head and neck region. Eighty-five percent occur in a unilateral, dermatomal distribution, with 57 percent located only in the V2 dermatome.4,5 For an accurate diagnosis and subsequent optimal treatment, the pathogenesis has to be known. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of our current understanding of the pathogenesis of capillary malformations. We first summarize some relevant issues of normal skin anatomy and then compare this to the disease involved in capillary malformations. In the subsequent discussion, theories concerning the cause are mentioned, and although this discussion does not focus on pulse dye laser per se, it is inevitable to include some information in a discussion about capillary malformations. We further summarize the most important mechanisms of molecular knowledge applicable to capillary malformations.