Asymmetric nevus flammeus

Lateral nevus, nevus flammeus, port-wine stain, nevus vinosus.

Congenital or early-developing malformation of the capillaries and postcapillary venules, localised laterally of the midline.

Vascular innervation is not present, thus vascular tone is reduced, resulting in vasodilatation.

• Red wine-coloured, blue-red, sharply demarcated macules. Compression during glass spatula printing causes the redness to disappear.

• Associated malformations
  • Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis
  • Congenital angiodysplasia syndromes

In case of periorbital localisation, an ophthalmological examination (glaucoma, retinal damage) is indicated.

Subepidermal capillary dilatation.

·       Laser therapy (argon laser,532-nm Nd:YAG laser)

·       Do not set surgical measures!

1. Senti G, Trueb RM. [Acquired naevus flammeus (Fegeler syndrome)]. Vasa 2000;29:225-8.
2. Achtelik W, Tronnier M, Wolff HH. [Combined naevus flammeus and naevus fuscocoeruleus: phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type IIa]. Hautarzt 1997;48:653-6.
3. Taute BM, Podhaisky H, Wiegand E, Eifert S, Behrmann C. [Unilateral giant extremity growth, naevus flammeus and chronic venous insufficiency in a 48-year-old patient]. Internist (Berl) 1998;39:308-11.
4. Johnson SC, Hanke CW. Unilateral acquired nevus flammeus in women. Cutis 2001;67:225-8.