Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the expression of neurofilament （NF）in the malformations of tongue，and relation between nerves distribution and ectatic vessels.

Methods

107 postoperative vascular malformation cases were chosen for this study. All samples were stained with anti-NF monoclonal antibody to detect the distribution of sensory nerves by immunohistochemistry （SP method）.

Results

In the vascular malformations， few NF was seen around the ectatic vessels. Among venous malformations， lymphatic malformations and mixed malformations， there was no significant difference between each two of them（P ＞0.05）. And among the different ages， there was no obvious change in the mixed vascular malformation. But the expression of NF was almost negative in the venule malformations （P ＜0.01）.

Conclusion

The formation of vascular malformations may be associated with the decrease of sensory nerves.

Key words: Vascular malformations, Mixed vascular malformations, NF, VEGFR-3