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Port-wine stain - Overview

Alternative Names

Nevus flammeus

Definition of Port-wine stain:

A port-wine stain is birthmark in which swollen blood vessels cause a reddish-purplish discoloration of the skin.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Port-wine stains occur in about 3 out of 1,000 people.

Port-wine stains may be a sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome or Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/16/2007
  • Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.