Sometimes you may also get back pain, right? Or maybe during a scan for some other reason, the doctor may have said that there is something like a small tumor in the spine. That is when we come to know about this condition called (Spinal Hemangioma) . Don't worry, let's talk about this in detail.
What is Spinal Hemangioma?
Simply put, a Spinal Hemangioma is a benign tumor that forms on your spine, that is, on a vertebra . It is made up of blood vessels that have gathered together. It looks like a small lump of blood vessels. Many people don't even know they have it, because the symptoms are very mild.
How serious is this situation?
Most of the time, a Spinal Hemangioma is not serious . However, in some cases, it can cause some problems. For example, it can cause a broken bone in the spine or pinched nerves. But there are treatments for these, so there is nothing to worry about.
How common is this?
Spinal hemangioma is actually more common than you might think. It is estimated that about 10% of the world's population has it. It is also the most common type of non-cancerous tumor that occurs in the spine.
What are the symptoms of this?
Most of the time, as I mentioned earlier, you won't even know you have a Spinal Hemangioma. Less than 5% of people develop symptoms. If they do, they may include:
- Back pain: This is the main symptom. For some people, it may just be a mild ache, while for others, it may be a bit more severe.
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms and/or legs: This can happen if the tumor is compressing a nerve. It can feel like a slight tingling sensation, like an electric shock.
- Feeling like a lump in the back: Sometimes, if the tumor is a little larger, it can be felt externally. But this is very rare.
What are the neurological symptoms?
Nervous system disorders are conditions that affect your nervous system . As you know, our nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Since a spinal hemangioma is located in the spine, very rarely, it can affect the nerves that carry messages from the spinal cord to the brain. That's when you can experience pain, weakness, numbness, or a ' pins and needles' sensation in your back, arms, or legs.
Think about it, our spinal cord is like a cable that carries messages. If there's a little knot in this cable, it can sometimes interfere with the message, right? That's what happens here too.
How fast does Spinal Hemangioma grow?
Most spinal hemangiomas grow very slowly , or stop growing (but don't shrink). You may not even know you have them. However, some types of hemangiomas show an 'aggressive' growth pattern . This is when the tumor spreads beyond the surface of the bone and into the soft tissues . These types of hemangiomas require treatment.
Can a hemangioma on the back be popped?
Yes, but it is very rare . If it bursts, that is, if the (Spinal Hemangioma) ruptures, it can cause severe bleeding (hemorrhage) . That is a medical emergency.
What causes Spinal Hemangioma?
Simply put, a spinal hemangioma is caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels in your spine. But the exact cause of this is not yet known .
Who is most at risk for this?
A spinal hemangioma can develop at any age, in anyone. However, it is most common after the age of 50. Also, women are more likely to develop this type of tumor than men.
What are the possible complications of Spinal Hemangioma?
Although rare, a spinal hemangioma can cause painful complications such as:
- Bones moving around.
- Damage to the spinal cord.
- Bone fractures.
- A blood clot (hematoma).
- Nervous system.
How is Spinal Hemangioma diagnosed?
Most of the time, a spinal hemangioma is discovered by chance . Imagine that you went to see a doctor for some other reason, and the doctor asked you to do an imaging test, such as a CT scan or MRI . It is when the doctor looks at the images from that scan that he sees that there is a tumor like this on your spine.
In addition to an imaging test, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history .
How does a Spinal Hemangioma appear on an MRI scan?
Your doctor will do an MRI of your spine to see if you have a tumor. A spinal hemangioma usually shows these symptoms:
- A round or elongated shape of a spinal vertebra .
- A pattern made of lines .
- A pattern made of polka dots . Like polka dots.
How is Spinal Hemangioma treated?
If you don't have symptoms, most doctors don't recommend treating a spinal hemangioma because if it doesn't bother you, there's no point in treating it.
However, there are treatments for symptomatic spinal hemangioma. Some of them are:
- Endovascular embolization: This involves blocking the blood vessels that supply blood to the tumor. This prevents the tumor from receiving blood, allowing it to shrink.
- Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty: In these procedures, a type of surgical cement is injected into the damaged area of your bone to prevent further damage.
- (Transpedicular ethanol injection): In this, an alcohol solution is injected into the hemangioma and it is removed.
- Radiation therapy: High-powered X-rays are used to shrink the hemangioma.
- Vertebrectomy: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the bone that contains the hemangioma.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
Yes, side effects may vary depending on the treatment regimen your doctor recommends. Some of them are:
- Heavy bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Pain.
- Artery damage.
- Infection.
- Nerve damage.
Therefore, it is important to discuss all of this thoroughly with your doctor before starting treatment.
What is the outlook for someone with Spinal Hemangioma?
If you have a spinal hemangioma, your outlook is usually good . This tumor is not usually a threat to your health. You may not even know you have one. It is very rare for symptoms like back pain to occur. If a hemangioma is bothering you or causing complications, there are treatments available. So don't worry.
Can Spinal Hemangioma be prevented?
Because the exact cause is unknown, there is no known way to prevent the development of Spinal Hemangioma. Fortunately, in most cases, there are no symptoms and no treatment is needed.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any symptoms of a Spinal Hemangioma, such as back pain or numbness in your arms or legs, it's best to see a doctor .
What questions should I ask my doctor?
If you find out that you have a spinal hemangioma, it's a good idea to ask your doctor some questions like these:
- Do I need treatment for (Spinal Hemangioma)?
- What treatment method is best suited to my condition?
- What are the side effects of the treatment?
- Is the hemangioma on my back an 'aggressive' type?
By asking questions like these, you can gain a better understanding of the situation.
Take-Home Message
Spinal hemangioma is usually not a cause for concern . Most of the time, it is discovered incidentally when your doctor is doing an imaging test for another reason. It is rare for symptoms to develop and treatment to be needed. If you have any further questions about your hemangioma, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. He or she can clear up any doubts you may have.
Remember, not all back pain is caused by something serious. However, if you have new or persistent pain, you should definitely see a doctor.
` Spinal tumor, spinal hemangioma, spinal hemangioma, back pain, non-cancerous tumors, neurological symptoms, spinal diseases
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