Children's Hospital Colorado

Our Pediatric Vascular Specialists

Our multidisciplinary team collaborates with a range of medical experts to pioneer new and effective ways of treating vascular anomalies.

The Vascular Anomalies Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado includes many different pediatric specialists from a range of medical backgrounds. Because vascular anomalies can vary so widely between cases, we have put together a large team of experts to handle every possible condition.

Nobody likes to wait for the doctor – especially kids – so we make an extra effort to coordinate appointments with our specialists in a way that minimizes the number of visits it takes to diagnose and treat your child. Our pediatric vascular specialists see patients in our Multidisciplinary Clinic on Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora – a comfortable, family-friendly space where your child can see all of their providers in one place.

One dedicated team for all your child’s needs

Vascular anomalies occur when blood vessels do not form properly. Blood vessels include arteries, veins, capillaries and lymphatics. Vascular anomalies can occur throughout the body, which is why it is important to receive care from multiple pediatric specialists. At the Vascular Anomalies Center, our multidisciplinary team consists of specialists from pediatric surgery, hematology, oncology, interventional radiology, otolaryngology, dermatology and plastic surgery.

Led by surgical and medical co-directors, our team considers all approaches to treatment to provide individualized care for your child. We see patients from across Colorado and many of the surrounding states.

Learn more about the kinds of pediatric specialists who may care for your child below.

Pediatric surgeons

Our pediatric surgeons specialize in treating vascular tumors and malformations through surgery and minimally invasive techniques. Even if surgery is not ultimately necessary, our surgeons are experts in the field of vascular anomalies and can coordinate with other specialists to develop a comprehensive plan for your child’s treatment.

Pediatric hematology and oncology specialists

Our hematology and oncology specialists are experts in general pediatrics, blood disorders and cancer. Your child may see a pediatric hematologist or oncologist when their vascular anomaly is part of a larger condition. Our specialists work with doctors from the Vascular Anomalies Center to ensure that treatment for the vascular anomaly does not interfere with the overall treatment and medication plan.

Pediatric interventional radiologists

Pediatric interventional radiologists use advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat vascular anomalies in children. This means we can perform many procedures through the blood vessels without having to perform open surgery. Using minimally invasive techniques shortens recovery time and reduces the chance of infection. Our team of interventional radiologists brings a vast amount of experience to our program and enables us to offer procedures such as sclerotherapy, embolization and lymphangiogram to treat vascular anomalies in kids.

Pediatric otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors)

Many vascular anomalies affect the head and neck, so our otolaryngology team is vital to our program. At our Vascular Anomalies Clinic, pediatric ear, nose and throat doctors perform specialized exams of the head to provide surgical options that take these sensitive areas into account.

Pediatric dermatologists

Dermatologists diagnose and treat many birthmarks and vascular malformations. Our pediatric dermatologists help the medical team understand the extent of your child’s vascular anomaly and any other possible functional or cosmetic implications.

Pediatric plastic surgeons

When surgery is the best treatment for your child’s anomaly, our plastic surgery team helps plan surgery and works to ensure that any scarring from the surgery is minimal or non-existent.

Pediatric orthopedists

Our orthopedic doctors work closely with the vascular anomalies team when bones, joints or muscles are involved. They determine and explain how treatment may affect your child’s range of motion. In some cases, surgery may help increase your child’s movement and other cases it may restrict it, depending on your child’s particular anomaly.

Pediatric cardiologists

When a vascular anomaly could impact the patient’s heart, our pediatric cardiologists help direct treatment. At Children’s Colorado, our team has expertise in the field of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and can assist in assessing and monitoring patients with this vascular condition.

Geneticists

Geneticists specialize in the role that genes play in disease and health. Our geneticists can help your family understand your child’s vascular anomaly and any accompanying genetic syndromes. We also enlist a genetic counselor to evaluate your child if there is concern that their siblings could also have the anomaly or if it could be passed to future children.

Pathologists

Our pathology team understands the special nature of each vascular anomaly. By taking a tissue sample and examining it under a microscope, our pathologists help us determine an accurate diagnosis.

Physical and occupational therapists

Both physical therapists and occupational therapists help evaluate and correct how a vascular anomaly affects your child’s mobility or movement. They can suggest and help fit compression garments or other medical equipment to help your child in treatment and recovery.

Nurse practitioners

Our team includes several nurse practitioners who specialize in vascular anomalies. They work closely with physicians to ensure that your child receives the care they need even after they’ve left the hospital. You may meet with our nurse practitioners to review images, discuss diagnosis and treatment options and learn more about your child’s particular condition.

Clinic nurse and program coordinators

Our clinic nurse and program coordinators are available to you and your child throughout their care at Children’s Colorado. Our team helps schedule and coordinate visits, share lab and image results, answer questions via telephone and MyChart and provide resources and education throughout your child’s care.

Meet the Vascular Anomalies Center care team.