Spider angioma

Spider angioma
Classification and external resources
Spider nevus
ICD-10	I78.1 (ILDS I78.11)
ICD-9	448.1
DiseasesDB	12302
eMedicine	derm/293

A spider angioma (also known as a nevus araneus, spider nevus, vascular spider, and spider telangiectasia^[1]) is a type of telangiectasis^[2] found slightly beneath the skin surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider's web. They are common and may be benign, presenting in around 10-15% of healthy adults and young children.^[3] However, greater than five spider naevi may be a sign of liver disease.

Distribution

Spider angiomas are found only in the distribution of the superior vena cava, and are thus commonly found on the face, neck, upper part of the trunk and arms. They may also be present on the backs of the hands and fingers in young children.

Cause

Spider angiomas are due to failure of the sphincteric muscle surrounding a cutaneous arteriole. The central red dot is the dilated arteriole and the red "spider legs" are small veins carrying away the freely-flowing blood. If momentary pressure is applied, it is possible to see the emptied veins refilling from the centre. No other angiomas show this phenomenon.

The dilation, in turn, is caused by increased estrogen levels in the blood. Many pregnant women, or women using hormonal contraception, have spider angiomas, due to high estrogen levels in their blood. People who have significant hepatic disease also show many spider angiomas, as their liver cannot detoxify estrogen from the blood, resulting in high levels of estrogen.^[3] About 33% of patients with cirrhosis have spider angiomas.^[4] As such, microhemorrhages may be observed as spider angiomas.

Treatment

Spider angiomas are asymptomatic and usually resolve spontaneously. This is common in the case of children, although they may take several years to disappear. If the spider angiomas are associated with pregnancy, they may resolve after childbirth. In women taking oral contraceptives, they may resolve after stopping these contraceptives. The spider angiomas associated with liver disease may resolve when liver function increases or when a liver transplant is performed.

For spider angiomas on the face, techniques such as electrodesiccation and laser treatment can be used to remove the lesion.^[5] There is a small risk of a scar, although the results are generally good. Spider angiomas can recur after treatment.

If the centre of the angioma is pricked with a hypodermic needle, opening the dilated arteriole, blood will flow freely for some time unless pressure is applied; the arteriole will then shrink or coagulate and the angioma will disappear. This treatment is minimally painful and leaves no scar.

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions

References

1. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1621–22. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0. 
2. ^ "spider angioma" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
3. ^ ^{a b} Nevus Araneus at eMedicine
4. ^ Li CP, Lee FY, Hwang SJ, et al. (1999). "Spider angiomas in patients with liver cirrhosis: role of alcoholism and impaired liver function". Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 34 (5): 520–3. doi:10.1080/003655299750026272. PMID 10423070. 
5. ^ Geronemus, R. G. (1991). "Treatment of spider telangiectases in children using the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser". Pediatr Dermatol 8 (1): 61–3. PMID 1862028. 

This Dermal and subcutaneous growths article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Dermal and subcutaneous growths Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries Dermal and subcutaneous growth stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат Amphoe Vibhavadi BAE Systems Submarine Solutions Look at other dictionaries: spider angioma — noun a dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate • Syn: ↑spider nevus, ↑vascular spider • Hypernyms: ↑angioma * * * noun : spider nevus …   Useful english dictionary spider angioma — a telangiectasis with a red central portion and branching lines like a silhouette of a spider with its legs; it is caused by dilatation and ramification of superficial cutaneous arteries, and may occur singly or in groups. Spider angiomas may be… …   Medical dictionary Angioma — Classification and external resources Finger angioma ICD 10 D18 (ILDS D18.010), L98 ICD 9 …   Wikipedia spider nevus — n a pigmented area on the skin formed of dilated capillaries or arterioles radiating from a central point like the legs of a spider called also spider angioma * * * see under angioma …   Medical dictionary spider — 1. An arthropod of the order Araneida (subclass Arachnida) characterized by four pairs of legs; a cephalothorax; a globose, smooth abdomen; and a complex of web spinning spinnerets. Among the venomous spiders found in the New World are the black… …   Medical dictionary spider nevus — noun a dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate • Syn: ↑spider angioma, ↑vascular spider • Hypernyms: ↑angioma …   Useful english dictionary Spider telangiectasia — Spider veins. * * * see under angioma …   Medical dictionary arterial spider — spider angioma …   Medical dictionary vascular spider — spider angioma …   Medical dictionary angioma — A swelling or tumor due to proliferation, with or without dilation, of the blood vessel s (hemangioma) or lymphatics (lymphangioma). [angio + G. oma, tumor] acquired tufted a. enlarging erythematous macules and plaqu …   Medical dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”