Is vertebral hemangioma serious?
If left untreated, symptomatic hemangiomas can cause serious neurological effects. At UPMC, we treat hemangiomas with surgical removal (resection) of the tumor or the affected vertebra, and radiation therapy to treat pain. Ethanol injections and laminectomy may also be performed.
How is a hemangioma of the spine treated?
Treatment options for spinal hemangioma Treatments for spinal hemangiomas include: Embolization: This minimally invasive procedure will stop blood flow to the tumor. Ethanol injections: Injections of alcohol (ethanol) will encourage blood clotting within the tumor to prevent bleeding. Radiation therapy.
Are vertebral hemangiomas cancerous?
Hemangiomas, Benign: Hemangiomas are non-cancerous (benign) tumors made of abnormal blood vessels. They are common and can occur anywhere in the body. Most hemangiomas of bone are in the spine and are found more often with advancing age.
Do spinal hemangiomas disappear?
Hemangiomas are benign tumors that develop from blood vessels. Hemangiomas of the skin are often visible as red, raised birthmarks that generally fade on their own.
Can a spinal hemangioma become malignant?
The diagnosis of vertebral hemangioma is very crucial and can be challenging in some cases. It may mimic malignant lesions in both clinical and radiological behavior [7]. Hemangiomas can be aggressive, compressing the spinal cord with paraparesis and spasticity as in our case.
What causes vertebral Haemangioma?
The collapse of the vertebral body or encroachment into the neural canal are some of the classic causes of pain. An increase in activity can cause the vertebral haemangioma to become painful, such as starting to exercise, housework and such. This is most likely due to axial loading through the body of the vertebra.
Can spinal hemangioma cause paralysis?
Rarely, vertebral hemangiomas will cause compressive neurological symptoms, such as radiculopathy, myelopathy and paralysis. In these cases the clinical presentation is usually the subacute or delayed onset of progressive neurological symptoms.
Can spinal hemangiomas be misdiagnosed?
Unfortunately, not all hemangiomas have the typical appearance, and they can mimic metastases on routine MR imaging. These are generally referred to as atypical hemangiomas and can result in misdiagnosis and ultimately additional imaging, biopsy, and unnecessary costs.