eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of the Vessels

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome: Follow-up

Author: Camila K Janniger, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 2, 2009

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • Patients with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) should be monitored at least annually and more often if clinically indicated.
  • Stable disease can be followed clinically. KTWS is not always a static disease process. If progression of the disease arises, imaging studies should be performed. Medical or surgical intervention should be pursued if indicated.

Complications

  • Complications of hemangiomas include skin breakdown and ulceration, bleeding, and secondary infection.
  • Complications due to varicosities include paresthesia, stasis ulcers, pulmonary emboli, thrombophlebitis, stasis dermatitis, hemorrhage, and cellulitis.
  • Hypertrophy of a limb may lead to subsequent vertebral scoliosis, gait abnormalities, and compromise of function.
  • KTWS patients tend to develop degenerative joint disease at an early age.19
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Jane H. Lisko, MD, and Frederick Fish, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome

Overview: Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome
Follow-up: Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome
References

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Further Reading

Keywords

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, KTWS, Parkes Weber syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, KTS, port-wine stain, varicose veins, bony and soft tissue hypertrophy, arteriovenous malformation

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Camila K Janniger, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School
Camila K Janniger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD, Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor, Hospital L'Archet, Nice University, France
Jean Paul Ortonne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Dermatological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Lester F Libow, MD, Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory
Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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