BLI NEws
New Vascular Birthmarks Treatment Center
The Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic (BLIMC) in collaboration with the University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC) announce the establishment of the Vascular Birthmarks and Malformations Diagnostic and Treatment Center (VBMDTC). The VBMDTC is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists designed to provide accurate diagnosis and current treatment options for patients and their families who are affected by vascular birthmarks or malformations, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, arteriovenous malformations, and lymphatic malformations.
head the VBMDTC
The multidisciplinary team headed by J. Stuart Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of the BLIMC, consists of such specialists as anesthesiologists, dermatologists, head and neck surgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and radiologists.
Vascular birthmarks or malformations occur at the rate of 1 in every 10 births. However, only 1 in 100 of these lesions will require the opinion of a medical specialist. Since these lesions can appear anywhere on the human body, either internally or externally, to ensure the best possible therapeutic outcome, affected patients require the combined expertise of an experienced, multidisciplinary team of specialists whose primary focus is the management of these complex disorders. The Southwestern United States and Mexico have thousand of new cases each year. Unfortunately, few resources exist for families affected by vascular birthmarks or malformations. There are many patients who have not received an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Comprehensive services offered by the VBMDTC include: consultation, diagnosis, second opinion, treatment, on-going assistance to primary-care and specialist physicians, information about vascular birthmarks or malformations, information on support and networking groups, and information about insurance coverage and other matters relating to receiving care.
The VBMDTC will hold quarterly outpatient clinics for evaluation of patients in which representatives from each key medical discipline will meet with patients and their families. The team will form a consensus on diagnosis and treatment, which will be presented to the family. This unique program allows patients to be seen by more than one specialist at the same visit and allows physicians to share their mutual assessments and concerns patients and their families. Thereafter, patients will be directed to the appropriate medical specialists for treatment and follow-up.
The VBMDTC welcomes self-directed and physician referrals. The services of the VBMDTC may be accessed by contacting the center's office personnel. If you or a family member of a patient affected by a vascular birthmark or malformation wish to schedule a consultation, please contact the VBMDTC Clinical Coordinator at the BLIMC, Andrea Giancarli, by telephone (949-824-4269), FAX (949-824-2726) or e-mail (afgianca@uci.edu).