The VASCERN-VASCA diagnostic and management pathways for kaposiform hemangioendothelioma.

UNLABELLED: The European Reference Network (ERN) on Rare Multisystemic Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) is dedicated to gathering the best expertise in Europe in order to improve and provide high-level healthcare to all patients with rare vascular diseases and provide accessible cross-border healthcare to patients with rare vascular diseases. Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumour with local aggressiveness, often associated with a life-threatening coagulopathy known as the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). The Vascular Anomalies Working Group (VASCA-WG) developed diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for the management of KHE using the nominal group technique (NGT), a well-established, structured, multi-stage, facilitated group meeting technique used to generate consensus statements. The pathways were developed following two face-to-face meetings and several web meetings to facilitate discussion.

CONCLUSION: VASCA has produced this expert opinion, which reflects the strategies developed by experts and patient representatives on how to approach patients with Kaposiform Hemangiothelioma in a practical manner; here, we present an algorithmic flow chart of this work.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare, locally aggressive vascular tumor, often associated with a life threatening coagulopathy, and can be challenging to manage.

WHAT IS NEW: • The diagnostic and therapeutic pathway for KHE, developed by a multidisciplinary group of experts (VASCA-VASCERN Group), offers concrete offers concrete help in making decisions about managing this condition.