Thickening and nodules in port-wine stains.

Port-wine stains are vascular ectasias that can develop thickening or nodules over time. Thickening is a further dilation of the ectatic vessels, and nodules are vascular neoplasms or hyperplasias. The records of 173 subjects with port-wine stains were reviewed for thickening, nodules, and associated characteristics. The incidence of nodules increased with age. Thickening often began in early adulthood, but its intensity and association with nodules continued to increase into older age. Thickening and nodules were most common in the area of the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve innervating the face and were associated with deepening color. The incidence of thickening alone was greater in male than in female patients.