The face can become swollen for a variety of reasons and most causes need investigation, prior to a management plan being advised. Children can develop swellings due to problems of facial formation in the womb or because of blood vessel or nervous tissue growth during childhood.

In complex cases and where non-surgical management could be a better treatment option, a tissue diagnosis will be completed prior to any plan being commenced. This small intervention (biopsy) occasionally prevents the need for more extensive surgery. Once a diagnosis has been established using an x-ray or ultrasound, surgical removal is usually planned under general anaesthetic.

The results usually last for life. Depending on exactly what it is, some patients can sometimes re-grow similar problems in new places. These can be usually be treated in the same way.