MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Telangiectasia

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Telangiectasia

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Considerations	Common Causes Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Angioma serpiginosum

Telangiectasia - legs

Telangiectasias - upper arm

Alternative names Return to top

Vascular ectasias

Definition Return to top

Telangiectasias are abnormally dilated blood vessels associated with a number of diseases.

Considerations Return to top

Telangiectasias may develop anywhere within the body but can be easily seen in the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Though most are asymptomatic, some telangiectasias bleed readily and cause significant problems. Telangiectasias may also occur in the brain and cause significant problems from bleeding.

Common Causes Return to top

Facial telangiectasia associated with age, sun exposure, or alcohol use
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome)
Ataxia - telangiectasia
Spider angioma
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (an inherited disorder)
Bloom syndrome
Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome
Sturge-Weber disease
Xeroderma pigmentosa
Nevus flammeus such as port-wine stain

Call your health care provider if Return to top

If you notice enlarged vessels in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes of your child, call your health care provider.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

Telangiectasia can be a symptom of a disease. Most of those disorders can be diagnosed by history and physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting telangiectasia in detail may include:

Is the condition visible?
Where is it located exactly?
Do the vessels bleed easily?
- Do they bleed spontaneously?
What other symptoms are also present?

Physical examination is usually limited to a dermatologic examination.

Various X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans, and liver function studies, or other blood studies may be indicated. The specific tests will depend on the suspected disease.

Update Date: 10/27/2003

Updated by: Jeffrey Drayer, M.D., Dermatologist, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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