# Venous malformation differential diagnosis with an odontogenic abscess on a pediatric patient. Case report and review of the literature

## TL;DR

A 6-year-old girl was mistakenly treated for an infection when she actually had a venous malformation, highlighting the diagnostic challenge between these two conditions.

## Contribution

The paper presents a case where a venous malformation was misdiagnosed as an odontogenic abscess, emphasizing the importance of proper diagnostic imaging.

## Key findings

- Venous malformations can mimic odontogenic abscesses, leading to misdiagnosis.
- Ultrasound and MRI are critical for accurate diagnosis of venous malformations.
- Early recognition of venous malformations is essential to avoid inappropriate treatment.

## Abstract

Venous malformations (VMs) are aberrant venous vessel angiogenesis present at birth. However, they can become apparent later in life, debuting in early childhood. This poses a clinical quest for surgeons, dentists, and pediatricians, as they might appear as a compressible mass in the head and neck region, not uncommonly mistaking them for odontogenic abscesses or other soft tissue tumors. The differential diagnosis can be challenging and imaging techniques are often needed. Ultrasounds are extremely useful initially as other diagnostic tools can be potentially harmful in the context of a VM. MRI is key as it provides accurate extension and location information, and allows to plan invasive treatment alternatives if the patient requires it. In this article, we present the case of a 6-year-old girl who was treated by mistake for an infection upon the diagnosis of an incipient odontogenic abscess instead of a venous malformation, and a literature review on VMs.

Key words:Venous malformation, odontogenic abscess, differential diagnosis.