vertebral hemangioma
Pronunciation: VER-teh-bral hee-man-jee-OH-mah
A benign vascular tumor of the vertebral body, typically asymptomatic and found incidentally on imaging.
Full Definition
Vertebral hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor composed of proliferating blood vessels within the vertebral body. These lesions are among the most common spinal tumors, found in approximately 10-12% of the population, and are usually discovered incidentally on MRI or CT scans. Most vertebral hemangiomas are asymptomatic and require only observation. However, aggressive hemangiomas can cause pain, neurological symptoms, or pathological fractures due to vertebral body expansion or epidural extension. Treatment options for symptomatic lesions include percutaneous vertebroplasty, radiation therapy, embolization, or surgical decompression in severe cases.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish aggressive from typical hemangiomas; specify imaging characteristics and treatment indications.
In Context
- "MRI revealed a typical vertebral hemangioma at L2 with characteristic T1 and T2 signal changes." — radiology report
- "The patient developed pain from an aggressive vertebral hemangioma requiring vertebroplasty." — interventional radiology consultation