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What else can I help you with?
What is the most important aspect of diagnosis prior to undergoing sclerotherapy?
distinguishing between telangiectasias and large varicose veins, and telangiectasias and spider nevi.
What are the signs and symptoms of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia?
as small, red or reddish-violet spots on the face, lips, inside the mouth and nose or the tips of the fingers and toes. Other small telangiectasias may occur in the digestive tract.
What causes red capillaries to burst on ankles?
CVI chronic venous Insufficiency also called spider veins, or Telangiectasias-can be caused by developmental abnormalities. This is often treated with laser or IPL therapy. There have been medication based treatments available for over 50 years. A Sclerosant medication is injected into the diseased vein so it hardens and eventually shrinks away.
Telangiectasia?
DefinitionTelangiectasias are small blood vessels on the skin. They are usually meaningless, but may be associated with several diseases.Alternative NamesVascular ectasiasConsiderationsTelangiectasias may develop anywhere within the body but can be easily seen in the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Usually, they do not cause symptoms. However, some telangiectasias bleed and cause significant problems. Telangiectasias may also occur in the brain and cause major problems from bleeding.Common CausesCauses may include:Alcohol useAgingSun exposureDiseases associated with this condition include:Ataxia - telangiectasiaBloom syndromeCutis marmorata telangiectatica congenitaHereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome)Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndromeNevus flammeussuch as port-wine stainSpider angiomaSturge-Weber diseaseXeroderma pigmentosaCall your health care provider ifCall your health care provider if you notice enlarged vessels in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes.What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the symptoms, including:Where are the blood vessels located?Do they bleed easily and without reason?What other symptoms are present?Tests may be needed to diagnose or rule out a medical condition. Such tests may include:Blood testsCT scansLiver function studiesMRI scansX-rays
What is CREST syndrome?
CREST syndrome is a particular form of a condition called scleroderma. CREST actually stands for the cardinal signs and symptoms associated with the condition: * Calcinosis (calcium deposits in the hands, particularly) * Raynaud's phenomenon * Esophageal dysmotility (difficulty/pain swallowing) * Sclerodactly (tightness of skin around the fingers and hands) * Telangiectasias (also called spider veins) A very nice write up of the condition is available from eMedicine; see the related links section of this answer.
Ataxia - telangiectasia?
DefinitionAtaxia-telangiectasia is rare childhood disease that affects the brain and other parts of the body.Ataxia refers to uncoordinated movements, such as walking. Telangiectasias are enlarged blood vessels (capillaries) just below the surface of the skin. Telangiectasias appear as tiny, red, spider-like veins.Alternative NamesLouis-Bar syndromeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsAtaxia-telangiectasia is inherited, which means it is passed down through families. It is an autosomal recessive trait. This means that both parents must provide a defective gene for the child to have symptoms of the disorder.The disease results from defects in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene. Defects in this gene can lead to abnormal cell death in various places of the body, including the part of the brain that helps coordinate movement.Boys and girls are equally affected.SymptomsDecreased coordination of movements (ataxia) in late childhood Ataxic gait (cerebellar ataxia)Jerky gaitUnsteadyDecreasing mental development, slows or stops after age 10-12Delayed walkingDiscoloration of skin areas exposed to sunlightDiscoloration of skin (coffee-with-milk colored spots)Enlarged blood vessels in skin of nose, ears, and inside of the elbow and kneeEnlarged blood vessels in the whites of the eyesJerky or abnormal eye movements (nystagmus) late in the diseasePremature graying of the hairSeizuresSensitivity to radiation, including medical x-raysSevere respiratory infections that keep coming back (recurring)Signs and testsThe doctor will perform a physical exam. Examination may show signs of the following:Below normal sized tonsils, lymph nodes, and spleenDecreased-to-absent deep tendon reflexesDelayed or absent physical and sexual developmentGrowth failureMask-like faceMultiple skin coloring and texture changesPossible tests include:Alpha fetoproteinB and T cell screenCarcinoembryonic antigenGenetic testing to look for mutations in the ATM geneGlucose tolerance testSerum immunoglobulin levels (IgE, IgA)X-rays to look at the size of the thymus glandTreatmentThere is no specific treatment for ataxia-telangiectasia. Treatment is directed at specific symptoms.Support GroupsAtaxia Telangiectasia Children's Project - www.atcp.orgNational Ataxia Foundation (NAF) - www.ataxia.orgExpectations (prognosis)Early death is common, but life expectancy varies.Because persons with this condition are very sensitive to radiation, they should never be given radiation therapy, and no unnecessary x-rays should be done.ComplicationsCancer such as lymphomaDiabetesKyphosisProgressive movement disorder that leads to wheelchair useScoliosisSevere, recurrent lung infectionsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if your child develops symptoms of this disorder.PreventionCouples with a family history of this condition who are considering pregnancy may consider genetic counseling.Parents of a child with this disorder may have a slight increased risk of cancer. They should have genetic counseling and more intensive cancer screenings.
Why do you itch when you drink wine?
Alcohol dilates the blood vessel in the skin. Every time you have a drink, the blood vessels will dilate and remain permanently dilated until they lose their tone. Excessive drinking will lead to the development of telangiectasias or chronic dilation of the capillaries and a permanent flush on the face. Another effect of drinking alcohol is "blood-sludging" where the red blood cells clump together causing the small blood vessels to plug up, starve the tissues of oxygen, and cause cell death. With this increased pressure, capillaries break, create red eyes in the morning, or the red, blotchy skin seen on the heavy drinker's face
How is blooms syndrome diagnosed?
Bloom syndrome is characterized by short stature and a facial rash that develops shortly after first exposure to sun. This rash can make a butterfly-shaped patch of reddened skin on the cheeks. The rash can develop on other sun-exposed areas such as the backs of the hands. Other clinical features include a high-pitched voice; distinct facial features, such as a long, narrow face, micrognathism of the mandible, and prominent nose and ears; pigmentation changes of the skin including hypo- and hyper-pigmented areas and cafe-au-lait spots; telangiectasias (dilated blood vessels) which can appear on the skin but also in the eyes; moderate immune deficiency, characterized by deficiency in certain immunoglobulin classes, that apparently leads to recurrent pneumonia and ear infections; hypo-gonadism characerized by a failure to produce sperm, hence infertility in males, and premature cessation of menses (premature menopause), hence sub-fertility in females. However, several women with Bloom syndrome have had children. Complications of the disorder may include chronic lung problems, diabetes, and learning disabilities. In a small number of persons, there is mental retardation. The most striking complication of the disorder is susceptibility to cancer.
Vein Treatment: Popular Treatment Methods?
There are three major types of vein disorders that cause veins to appear discolored and to swell up to one degree or another, and these disorders are varicose veins, spider veins (also known as telangiectasias) and reticular veins. Exactly which type of vein treatment will be prescribed depends on exactly which disorder a particular patient is suffering from. Varicose veins are, by far, the most unsightly of the three disorders, and, here, the veins swell up grotesquely, take on a dark-bluish color, which, in some cases, can lead to the development of skin conditions like dermatitis. Varicose veins are caused by anomalies in the veins’ leaflet valves, which lead to blood flowing backwards, and several treatments have been developed. The most popular vein treatment techniques in use today can be divided into those that attempt to alleviate the condition, being the conservative vein treatments, and those that actively try to get rid of it, being the interventional vein treatments. Conservative vein treatments involve things like elevating the affected leg, taking mild medication and embarking on a course of exercise. The interventional techniques, on the other hand, can themselves be divided into those that involve surgery and those that don’t. There are several different surgical vein treatment methods available today, and these range from the invasive stripping of the affected venous material to the abulatory phlebectomies, which are less invasive and can be performed with local anesthetic. The non-surgical techniques include endovenous thermal ablation, where the veins are treated with laser beams, and sclerotherapy, where sclerosants - or detergent liquids - are injected into the veins to shrink them. Sclerotherapy is also commonly used to alleviate spider veins, where the veins immediately beneath the skin take on a bluish tinge, and reticular veins, which are similar to spider veins but which are located deeper beneath the skin. These two conditions can also be address through endovenous laser treatments as well as by radiofrequency ablation, where the affected venous tissue is destroyed through the use of high frequency alternating current. Although vein treatment can be extremely effective, it can also lead to severe complications including pulmonary embolism and, with sclerotherapy, anaphylactic shock.
Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome?
DefinitionOsler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is an inherited disorder of the blood vessels that can cause excessive bleeding.Alternative NamesHereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia; HHTCauses, incidence, and risk factorsOsler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is an inherited condition. It can affect males or females of any ethnic or racial group.People with this condition can develop abnormal blood vessels called arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in several areas of the body. If they are on the skin, they are called telangiectasias. The AVMs can also develop in other areas of the body, such as the brain, lungs, liver, or intestines.The syndrome is genetic, which means it results from an abnormality in one of a few genes. Scientists have identified some of the genes involved. However, they do not know exactly how the gene defects lead to the abnormal blood vessels seen in persons with this syndrome.SymptomsFrequent nosebleeds in childrenGI bleeding, including loss of blood in the stool or dark black stoolsPort wine stainSeizures or unexplained, small strokes (from bleeding into the brain)Shortness of breathTelangiectases on the tongue, lips, nasal mucosa, face, ears, fingertips, nails, whites of the eyes, and skin (they may bleed easily)Signs and testsAn experienced health care provider can detect telangiectases during a physical examination. There is often a family history of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.Signs include:Abnormal blood vessels that bleed easily in the throat, bowels, or airwaysAVM seen on chest x-rayDecreased oxygen levels in the bloodHeart failureHepatomegalyIron deficiency anemiaTests include:Blood gas testsBlood testsEchocardiogramEndoscopyGenetic testing may be available for changes (mutations) in the endoglin or ALK1 genes.TreatmentTreatments include:Surgery to treat bleeding in some areasElectrocauteryor laser surgery to treat frequent or heavy nosebleedsEndovascular embolization to treat abnormal blood vessels in the brain and other parts of the bodySome patients respond to estrogen therapy, which can reduce bleeding episodes. Avoid taking blood-thinning medications.Some patients may need to take antibiotics before having dental work or surgery. Ask your doctor what precautions you should take.Support GroupsHHT Foundation International -- www.hht.orgExpectations (prognosis)People with this syndrome can live a completely normal lifespan, depending on the parts of the body where the AVMs are located.ComplicationsHeart failureHigh blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)Internal bleedingShortness of breathCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if your child has frequent nose bleeds or other signs of this disease.PreventionGenetic counseling is recommended for couples who want to have children and who have a family history of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Medical treatments can prevent certain types of strokes and heart failure.ReferencesAzuma H: Genetic and molecular pathogenesis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. J Med Invest. 2000 Aug; 47(3-4): 81-90.Faughnan ME, Hyland RH, Nanthakumar K, Redelmeier DA: Screening in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia patients. Chest. 2000 Aug; 118(2): 566-7.Govani FS, Shovlin CL. Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: a clinical and scientific review. Eur J Hum Genet. 2009 Apr 1. [Epub ahead of print]
Why is sunlight harmful to the skin?
Sunlight can be both healthy and harmful to the skin; the critical element in the sun is ultraviolet light. Sun damage can result from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light when the wavelength different from the same spectrum helps kill bacteria and metabolize vitamin A. Effects of ultraviolet We shall concentrate on sun damage and the effects of excessive sun exposure. Excessive exposure may result in different circumstances. People with outdoor jobs, sports coaches and sailors are routinely exposed to large doses of ultraviolet light, day after day. Other individuals may be exposed to ultraviolet light due to heavy recreational reasons. Sports like skiing, sailing and hiking are some of the outdoor activities that make the skin of these people at risk. Sun Damage and Skin Diseases The cumulative effect of the sun can be severe and often results in chronic skin diseases and some cancers. Chronic sun ages the skin faster than the normal aging process. Aging skin subjected to damage sustained in the photo is marked by wrinkles and lines. It's rough, blotchy and could develop patches called lentigines. It could also give rise to cancerous lesions. The photo damage also causes the muscles of the skin to the flag and the loose skin is thick and leather. This is due to tissue damage, which is called solar elastosis. Sun damage and rosacea Excessive sun exposure is also harmful for people who have a skin condition called rosacea. This condition is characterized by sudden redness of the skin of the face and cheeks. It is a condition in which small blood vessels just below the surface of the skin dilate and cause the skin to look red and red. When the sun warms your face excessively, blood vessels dilate to regulate the heat. The result is that the classical rosacea flushing. Basal cell carcinoma is the most sensitive of skin cancers that respond to chronic sun exposure and sun damage. Another skin condition that is sensitive to sun damage is telangiectasia. This occurs because of how threads of the blood vessels in the face, especially the nose, due to certain skin conditions like rosacea. Treatment for damage Sun How to treat sun damage? There are several ways to protect your skin from photo damage. One way is to apply sunscreen or sun block on areas of your skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight, when you are outdoors. Diverts Sunscreen absorbs or scatters ultraviolet light and protects the skin. Other topical products such as creams and lotions could reverse the effects of sun damage. These include moisturizers, creams, lotions and gels. Those who seek to contain alpha hydroxy acids smooth w \ wrinkles and soften skin. Products containing vitamin C as its active ingredient are also known to help. A popular surgical treatment for skin with sun damage is the use of collagen or hyaluronic acid is injected into the epidermis. This restores some of the damaged collagen and brings back skin elasticity. What does the sun-damaged skin? The appearance of sun-damaged skin is generally recognized, and it is different from the trend observed with the normal chronological age. To see the very smooth, fine, pale wrinkling associated with aging in the sun-protected areas of the skin, such as the buttocks from the sun damage otherwise. Fine and coarse wrinkles are seen on sun skin. It is a rough skin and negligence or loosening of the damage peak, dark spots or patches of increased pigmentation spots are presented also. Sometimes these patches become irregular and produce what is called lentigines. Frequently observed in those areas is around the back of the neck a leathery texture and coarseness with deep wrinkles can be, the skin feels dry and flaky. Chronic sun exposure will in many produce a thickened layer in the upper dermis known as solar elastosis, which gives a yellowish chicken skin look. Some people develop blood vessels, called telangiectasias or broken blood vessels. If damage is severe, thinning of the skin and bruising may be seen particularly on the hands and forearms.
Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula?
DefinitionPulmonary arteriovenous fistula is a condition in which an abnormal connection (fistula) develops between an artery and vein in the lungs. As a result, blood passes through the lungs without receiving enough oxygen.Alternative NamesArteriovenous malformation - pulmonaryCauses, incidence, and risk factorsPulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are usually the result of a genetic disease that causes the blood vessels of the lung to develop abnormally. Fistulas also can be a complication of liver disease.Patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (ROWD) -- also called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) -- often have abnormal blood vessels in many parts of the body. These abnormal vessels can be in the lungs, brain, nasal passages, liver, and gastrointestinal organs. This condition is slightly more common in women than in men.SymptomsMany people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include:Bloody sputumDifficulty breathingDifficulty exercisingNosebleeds (in patients with HHT)Shortness of breath with exertionOther possible symptoms include:A murmur heard with a stethoscope placed over the abnormal blood vesselAbscesses or infections of the heart valvesBlue skin (cyanosis)Clubbing of the fingersSigns and testsHigh red blood cell countLow blood oxygen levelTests include:Chest x-rayChest CT scanPulmonary arteriogramTreatmentA small number of patients who have no symptoms may not need specific treatment. For most patients with fistulas, the treatment of choice is to block the fistula during an arteriogram (embolization).Some patients may need surgery to remove the abnormal vessels and nearby lung tissue.Expectations (prognosis)The outlook for patients with HHT is not as good as for those without HHT. It is possible for the condition to come back after blocking the fistula (embolization).Surgery to remove the abnormal vessels usually has a good outcome, and the condition is not likely to return.ComplicationsMajor complications after treatment for this condition are unusual. Complications may include:Bleeding in the lungBlood clot that travels from the lungs to the arms, legs, or brain (paradoxical embolism)Infection in the brain or heart valveCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you often have nosebleeds or difficulty breathing, especially if you also have a history of HHT.PreventionBecause this condition is often genetic, prevention is not usually possible.ReferencesBernstein D. Other Congenital Heart and Vascular Malformations. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 432.
