International Society for the
Study of Vascular Anomalies
ISSVA welcomes your feedback about the current Classification & Glossary. Please use the form linked below to submit feedback. It will be reviewed regularly by the ISSVA Classification Working Group and responded to directly.
Click here to access the ISSVA Classification for Vascular Anomalies by International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (2025). This version of the Classification and the Classification Glossary were reviewed in May 2024 at the ISSVA World Congress in Madrid, Spain, and further revised based on the feedback until 2025.
The glossary is an appendix to the Classification and was created to allow wide access and clarification of vascular anomalies terminology. Its online version is hosted on the ISSVA website. Shortly, there will be hyperlinks within the classification and the glossary, to facilitate cross referencing and enhanced understanding. The document will be updated continuously.
The glossary lists and explains, in alphabetic order, all technical terms, abbreviations, acronyms, eponyms, genes and syndromes related to vascular anomalies. After explanation, each term is accompanied by specific codes meaning its definition, that is, whether it is a technical term (t), an eponym (e), an acronym (a) a gene (g) or a syndrome (s). The glossary therefore forms an important part of the classification. Since it is a living document, it is hoped that glossary entries will also be linked to ‘atlas’ type resources of typical pathology, medical imaging, and clinical images. This should aid not only the proper classification of lesions but also facilitate education and communication for patients and caregivers.
Click here to access the ISSVA Classification Glossary for Vascular Anomalies by International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (2025). This version of the Classification and the Classification Glossary were reviewed in May 2024 at the ISSVA World Congress in Madrid, Spain, and further revised based on the feedback until 2025.
The ISSVA Classification & Glossary for Vascular Anomalies (2025) is developed and maintained by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) Scientific Committee – Classification Working Group.
Copyright Ownership
© 2025 International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA). All rights reserved. ISSVA retains full copyright ownership of the Classification & Glossary as a standalone work.
The only official version of the ISSVA classification is the English version presented on the ISSVA website at http://www.issva.org/classification. The ISSVA does not warrant or assume any responsibility for the content or accuracy of any translation, adaptation or derivative versions.
Permitted Non-Commercial Use
ISSVA permits non-commercial use, reproduction, and the creation of non-commercial derivative works (including translations and educational adaptations), provided that:
Use in Scholarly Publications
Inclusion of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary (in whole or in part) in scholarly publications is permitted for non-commercial purposes, provided that:
Publication in a journal does not transfer copyright of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary itself, though the journal may hold copyright in the article as a whole.
Commercial Use
Commercial use, including publication in commercial products beyond standard scholarly use, or creation of commercial derivative works, requires prior written permission from ISSVA.
Permissions
Requests for permission should be directed to: info@issva.org
Previous Versions:
For the purposes of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary, “commercial use” refers to any use of the material that is intended for, directed toward, or results in financial gain, revenue generation, or commercial advantage for an individual profit, a profit-organization, or a profit-entity.
Commercial use includes, but is not limited to:
Publication of ISSVA material in scholarly journals for research, educational, or academic purposes shall not be considered commercial use under this policy, provided the requirements in the "Use in Scholarly Publications" section are followed.
Non-commercial use refers to use that is purely educational, research-based, clinical, scholarly, or personal, and does not produce direct or indirect commercial benefit.
NOTE: Commercial use of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary are subject to a licensing fee. Contact info@issva.org for more information.
Yes. You may use, share, and reproduce the ISSVA Classification & Glossary for non-commercial, educational, clinical, or research purposes without requesting permission.
Examples include:
You must always provide proper attribution to ISSVA.
“Non-commercial” means the use does not produce financial gain, does not support commercial activity, and is not connected to a revenue-generating product or service.
Examples include:
No, not for non-commercial use.
ISSVA permits non-commercial modifications, including translations, adaptations, altered graphics, digital tools, or expanded versions, provided that:
Yes. Any commercial use requires written permission from ISSVA.
Yes.
You may redistribute the original ISSVA Classification for non-commercial purposes. Modified or adapted versions may also be redistributed for non-commercial purposes provided the requirements for derivative works described above are followed.
Yes.
ISSVA permits the reproduction, adaptation, or inclusion of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary (in whole or in part) in scholarly publications for non-commercial academic, educational, and research purposes without prior permission, provided that:
Authors remain responsible for complying with publisher requirements regarding third-party content, permissions, copyright transfer, and licensing agreements.
Yes, for non-commercial purposes.
You may translate the ISSVA Classification & Glossary provided that:
Commercial translations or translations used in commercial products require prior written permission from ISSVA.
Yes, for non-commercial educational, clinical reference, scholarly, or research purposes.
ISSVA permits non-commercial use in AI-enabled and digital tools, including knowledge bases, retrieval systems, search applications, educational software, decision-support tools, and chatbots, provided that:
Commercial AI, machine learning, software, or digital products that incorporate, adapt, distribute, or rely upon the ISSVA Classification & Glossary require prior written permission from ISSVA.
Not without permission.
Using the material in paid educational courses, certification programs, or training materials organized and developed by a for-profit company is considered commercial use and is not allowed without permission from ISSVA.
Email: info@issva.orginfo@issva.org
ISSVA members and other authors publishing in scholarly journals should follow these guidelines when reproducing or adapting ISSVA Classification content.
General Principle
The ISSVA Classification & Glossary for Vascular Anomalies is owned by ISSVA and should be treated as third-party material in all manuscript submissions.
Reproduction or adaptation of ISSVA material does not transfer copyright ownership. Copyright in the original ISSVA Classification & Glossary remains with ISSVA, regardless of publication in a journal or other scholarly work.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy:
Reproducing ISSVA Content
Tables, figures, diagrams, glossary content, or substantial portions of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary may be reproduced in non-commercial scholarly publications without prior permission, provided that:
Where ISSVA material is reproduced, authors should include an appropriate copyright credit line, such as:
"ISSVA Classification & Glossary for Vascular Anomalies (2025), © International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA). Available at issva.org/classification."
Adapting ISSVA Content
Adapted or modified versions of ISSVA content, including figures, tables, translations, educational summaries, or other derivative works, may be used in non-commercial scholarly publications without prior permission, provided that:
Authors may use the recommended attribution language provided in the ISSVA copyright policy.
Manuscript Disclosure Statement
When permitted by journal policies, authors are encouraged to include the following disclosure statement in the manuscript, figure legend, footnote, acknowledgements section, or supplementary materials:
"The ISSVA Classification & Glossary for Vascular Anomalies (2025) is copyrighted by ISSVA. Reproduced or adapted material is included in accordance with ISSVA’s non-commercial use policy. Copyright in the original ISSVA material remains with ISSVA."
Publisher Requirements
Many journals require copyright transfer, exclusive licensing, or specific declarations regarding third-party content.
Authors are responsible for:
Publication in a journal does not transfer ownership of the ISSVA Classification & Glossary itself, although the journal may hold copyright in the article as published.
Preferred Practice
Whenever appropriate, citation, summary, or linking to the official ISSVA Classification & Glossary is preferred over reproducing extensive portions of the content.
When in doubt, authors are encouraged to contact ISSVA for guidance at info@issva.org.
