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INTRODUCTION

The vascular system provides a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen to keep the skin healthy and functioning. It also provides heat and removes carbon dioxide and other unwanted metabolic products. Arterial occlusion causes rapid necrosis. Impaired arterial supply results in cool, dry, lifeless skin. Impaired venous return causes swelling and irritation of the tissue. Both these processes can result in ulceration of the skin. Vascular malformations may be present congenitally; acquired vascular growths are common. Flushing is covered in Chapter 12. Diascopy (Fig.15.1) is a quick way of verifying that a lesion is primarily vascular; most vascular lesions are compressible.
    Discussion of vascular disorders includes both primarily anatomic abnormalities (malformations), various tumors (benign, reactive, and malignant), predominantly functional problems (such as abnormal reactions to cold), and mixed or degenerative conditions such as arterial disease or venous disease. Malignant vascular tumors are discussed in Chapter 33.

White/Cox: Diseases of the Skin, 2ed.(c) 2006, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.