Vascular Anomalies

Our Vascular Anomalies Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) combines expertise and resources from across Monash Health to offer effective, coordinated care. We will create a treatment and follow-up plan just for your child that could extend into adulthood if required. Our providers are experienced in treating vascular anomalies.

The number of facilities capable of providing comprehensive treatment is limited in Australia and at Monash Children’s Hospital we are in the unique position of being able to combine the expertise of different medical and surgical specialities.

Our collaborative team of specialists work together to provide accurate diagnosis (which can be difficult for these complex conditions), individualized treatment plans and ongoing care for children with vascular anomalies. Our services include:

• Medical management to control blood vessel growth
• Image-guided sclerotherapy to shrink the lesions
• Surgery to remove the tumours or lesions.

Monash Children’s Hospital offers one of the largest multidisciplinary teams in the country. Our clinic includes providers and consultative services from different specialties; each one of our providers has knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular anomalies.

Clinical leads

• Dr Maurizio Pacilli
• Dr George Pratt

Core team providers

• Paediatric general surgery: Dr Maurizio Pacilli, Dr Peter Ferguson
• Plastic surgery: Dr George Pratt, Dr Charlie Baillieu, Dr Nelson Low,
• Interventional radiology: Prof. Stuart Lyon, Dr Lee-Anne Slater, Dr Diederick De Boo, Dr Charlie Handley, Dr Ronny Kuang
• General paediatrics: Dr Ciara Earley, Dr Monika Tasani
• Clinical Genetics: Dr Andrew Fennell
• Dermatology: Dr Paul Curnow
• Neurosurgery: Dr Ahmad Badran, Dr Juliet Clayton, Dr Rebecca Limb, Dr Andrew Gauden
• Radiology: Prof. Michael Ditchfield, Dr Stacy Goergen, Dr James Stageman
• Nurse coordinator: Tamara Bolam
• Administrative support: Peta Young

Consultative services

• Anaesthesia: Dr Cassandra Lang, Dr Valerie Taylor
• Paediatric Intensive Care: Dr Caroline Killick
• Neonatal Intensive Care: Dr Arvind Sehgal

Vascular anomalies occur when arteries, veins, capillaries or lymphatic vessels do not develop properly. Many of these anomalies are already present at birth (and sometimes diagnosed during pregnancy), but others may become noticeable later in a child’s life. They vary greatly in size, colour, location on the body, and associated symptoms. Some are easily visible on the child and can be unsightly but do not pose health risks. Others occur internally and especially if large, can pose significant health risks.

Vascular anomalies are classified in vascular tumours and vascular malformations; there are many types and also numerous possible combinations of the lesions that can be present in the same child (further information can be found at https://www.issva.org/classification). Each of these requires a tailored approach based on the type, location and associated problems.

Click here to read some of our patients’ stories.

Location: Monash Children’s Hospital Consulting, ground floor, Monash Children’s Hospital, Clayton
Schedule: monthly on Wednesday afternoon between 1.30pm and 4.30pm

About the clinic

The Vascular Anomalies Clinic at Monash Children’s Hospital sees children up to 16 years of age with vascular anomalies.

To be seen at the Vascular Anomalies Clinic you will need a referral from your GP, paediatrician or a medical specialist.

Please bring any medical information, such as referral letters, test results, information about current therapies, X-rays, CT and MRI scans.

During your first visit to the Vascular Anomalies Clinic your family will consult with one of our doctors to discuss your diagnosis and possible treatment options if necessary. Procedures and investigations will not be performed at the initial visit.

Monash Health Specialist Consulting only accepts referrals via HealthLink.

eReferrals are the most secure, safe and reliable way to send a referral to Monash Health.

Referral Guidelines – Paediatric Vascular Anomalies Service

Please send all referrals to the Vascular Anomalies MDT clinic via HealthLink. For more information on eReferrals, please visit the Secure eReferrals page on the Monash Health website.