The chorioallantoic membrane assay is a promising ex vivo model system for the study of vascular anomalies.

UNLABELLED The present feasibility study evaluated the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay established in cancer and angiogenesis research as a tool for the study of vascular anomalies (VAs) in the head and neck area, since the lack of appropriate model systems poses a major obstacle in VA research. MATERIALS AND METHODS VA tissues from three patients, two with an arteriovenous and one with a lymphatic malformation, were analyzed and evaluated in the CAM assay. RESULTS The arteriovenous malformations induced a potent angiogenic reaction, resulting in new vessel growth and reperfusion by chicken embryo blood, which was comparable in extent with the positive vascular endothelial growth factor control. An angiogenic reaction, although less pronounced, was also observed in the single-tested lymphatic malformation. CONCLUSION Our observations indicate the CAM assay to be a suitable model system for the study of VAs, as well as to show how treatment with pro- and antiangiogenic drugs affects VA growth patterns. The CAM assay has the potential to become a valuable tool for VA studies.