Leaders in the Diagnosis, Research, and Treatment of Vascular Anomalies

Welcome to the Vascular Anomalies Center

Johns Hopkins Medicine is a leader in diagnosing, researching, and treating vascular anomalies. Our team of specialists treat patients of all ages, from newborns to adults.

About Us

Our Mission

  • Advance research directed at improving vascular anomaly patient care
  • Develop new, more effective therapies
  • Educate fellows, residents, and other trainees

Our Expertise

  • Coordination of care by Johns Hopkins RN Patient Care Coordinators
  • State-of-the art diagnostic and treatment approaches
  • Access to new drug therapies
  • Resource access for patients and their families

Conditions and Treatments

We treat individuals of any age, from newborns to adults. Vascular anomalies are present at birth, and become apparent at different ages. We are just beginning to understand how anomalies occur. The best age of treatment depends on the specific vascular anomaly and its symptoms, and is individualized to each person. Our multidisciplinary vascular anomalies team reviews each patient's case to determine the most effective treatment.

Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformation is a general term that includes congenital vascular anomalies of only veins, only lymph vessels, both veins and lymph vessels, or both arteries and veins. Vascular malformations are treated by embolization.

 

Female showing red patches of skin around nose and cheeks.

Vascular Tumors

Vascular tumors are formed of blood vessels that grow abnormally and can occur anywhere on the body. Most are benign (noncancerous) and some resolve on their own.

 

Toddler showing red tumor above right eye.

Syndromes

Some Vascular Malformations and Vascular Tumors develop within a genetic or inherited syndrome. Patients that present with vascular anomaly associated syndromes receive coordinated treatment for all of their symptoms.

Boy with a vascular malformation

Our Team

Due to the rarity of vascular anomalies and the precision required to treat them, our Vascular Anomalies Center offers patients state-of-the-art, personalized treatment options. Our group consists of specialists in interventional radiology (image-guided treatment), plastic surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, general surgery (surgical treatment), dermatology (laser and medical treatment), hematology/oncology (medical treatment), and genetics. Our team works together to review individual patient cases and determine the best treatment for them.

Director

Clifford Raabe Weiss, M.D.

Expertise: Angioplasty, Arterial Occlusive Disease, Arteriovenous Fistulas (AVF), Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM), Chronic Total Occlusions

Adult Care

Adult and Pediatrics Care

Pediatrics Care

  • Emily Boss, M.D., M.P.H.

    Expertise: Diseases of the Ear and Nose, Diseases of the Throat in Children, Ear infections, Head and Neck Tumors, Otolaryngology

  • Clint Daniel Cappiello, M.D.

    Expertise: Anorectal Disorders, Benign Tumors, Benign Tumors of the Lung, Biliary Atresia, Bowel Obstruction

  • R. Jay Lee, M.D.

    Expertise: Achilles Tendon Injuries, ACL Reconstruction, Ankle Injuries, Arthroscopic Surgery, Discoid Meniscus

  • Isam Waddah Nasr, M.D.

    Expertise: Chest Wall Reconstruction, Critical Care Medicine, General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery

  • Christine Anne Pratilas, M.D.

    Expertise: Bone Cancer, Clinical Trials, Ewing's Sarcoma, Medical Oncology, Melanoma

  • Emily Southard Rao, M.D., M.A., M.S.

    Expertise: Bleeding Disorders, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Hemophilia, Pediatric Hematology, Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

  • Aylin Tekes, M.D.

    Expertise: Diagnostic Radiology, Pediatric Neuroradiology, Pediatric Radiology, Radiology

  • David Tunkel, M.D.

    Expertise: Airway Disorders, Cholesteatoma, Chronic Sinonasal Infection and Ear Disease, Diseases of the Ear and Nose, Diseases of the Throat in Children

  • Jonathan Walsh, M.D.

    Expertise: Aerodigestive Disorders, Cholesteatoma, Diseases of the Ear and Nose, Diseases of the Throat in Children, Ear infections