A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.
Alternative NamesCavernous hemangioma; Strawberry nevus
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAbout 30% of hemangiomas are present at birth. The rest appear in the first several months of life.
The hemangioma may be:
Most hemangiomas are on the face and neck.
Signs and testsHemangiomas are diagnosed by a physical examination. In the case of deep or mixed lesions, a CT or MRI scan may be performed.
Occasionally, a hemangioma may occur with other rare conditions. Additional tests may be done for these syndromes.
TreatmentSuperficial or "strawberry" hemangiomas often are not treated. When they are allowed to disappear on their own, the result is usually normal-appearing skin. In some cases, a laser may be used to remove the small vessels.
Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and block vision are generally treated with steroid injections or laser treatments. These quickly reduce the size of the lesions, allowing vision to develop normally. Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas may be treated with oral steroids and injections of steroids directly into the hemangioma.
Recently, lasers have been used to reduce the size of the hemangiomas. Lasers that emit yellow light damage the vessels in the hemangioma without damaging the skin over it. Some physicians use a combination of steroid injection and laser therapy.
Expectations (prognosis)Small, superficial hemangiomas often disappear on their own. About 50% go away by age 5, and 90% are gone by age 9.
ComplicationsAll birthmarks, including hemangiomas, should be evaluated by the health care provider during a routine examination.
Hemangiomas of the eyelid may interfere with the development of normal vision and must be treated in the first few months of life. Hemangiomas that interfere with breathing, feeding, or other vital functions should also be treated early.
PreventionThere is no known way to prevent hemangiomas.
A hemangioma is an abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs.
Alternative NamesCavernous hemangioma; Strawberry nevus
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAbout 30% of hemangiomas are present at birth. The rest appear in the first several months of life.
The hemangioma may be:
Most hemangiomas are on the face and neck.
Signs and testsHemangiomas are diagnosed by a physical examination. In the case of deep or mixed lesions, a CT or MRI scan may be performed.
Occasionally, a hemangioma may occur with other rare conditions. Additional tests may be done for these syndromes.
TreatmentSuperficial or "strawberry" hemangiomas often are not treated. When they are allowed to disappear on their own, the result is usually normal-appearing skin. In some cases, a laser may be used to remove the small vessels.
Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and block vision are generally treated with steroid injections or laser treatments. These quickly reduce the size of the lesions, allowing vision to develop normally. Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas may be treated with oral steroids and injections of steroids directly into the hemangioma.
Recently, lasers have been used to reduce the size of the hemangiomas. Lasers that emit yellow light damage the vessels in the hemangioma without damaging the skin over it. Some physicians use a combination of steroid injection and laser therapy.
Expectations (prognosis)Small, superficial hemangiomas often disappear on their own. About 50% go away by age 5, and 90% are gone by age 9.
ComplicationsAll birthmarks, including hemangiomas, should be evaluated by the health care provider during a routine examination.
Hemangiomas of the eyelid may interfere with the development of normal vision and must be treated in the first few months of life. Hemangiomas that interfere with breathing, feeding, or other vital functions should also be treated early.
PreventionThere is no known way to prevent hemangiomas.
ReferencesHabif TP. Vascular tumors and malformations. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 23.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/10/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Hemangioma is pronounced heh-man-jee-OH-mah.
The most common testing for diagnosis of hemangioma which is the abnormal buildup of blood vessels is typically done with an ultrasound. Some hemangioma can be visually detected.
the symptoms of hemangioma include a purplish, red sore on the skin, or a raised tumor with the blood vessels. hemangioma is usually spotted on the face or neck area of the body.
Aftercare for a hemangioma excision involves wound care and maintenance such as changing of bandages
Osseous hemangioma are common lesions. About 50% of this lesion is found in the thoracic region of the vertebral bodies.
A sacral hemangioma is a tumor of the sacrum, or tailbone. Sacral hemangiomas are very rare and can be treated if they cause pain.
A spider hemangioma, or nevus araneus, is a hemangioma with telangectatic vessels radiating from a central point like the legs of a spider. These skin marks often disappear on their own.
Yes
Some symptoms of hemangioma include both nausea and pain. In severe cases, there may be bleeding and severe pain.
A hemangioma is actually a type of tumor that lines the blood vessels. It is basically an increased number of vessels that are filled with blood.
An atypical hemangioma is a mass of blood vessels that is mostly found on the spine. These can be found via X-rays and will appear as a dark mass.
Hemangioma is a common occurrence in humans and can be found in any part of the body. With hemangioma, a group of capillaries grows out of control, which is a common cause of the "strawberry birthmark" in infants and young children. Typically there are no ill effects from hemangioma, and the body will break down the capillary structure and absorb it over time. In some organs they can produce pain, blockages or other effects, however. A full-body scan can be done to detect hemangioma wherever they occur in the body.