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- $Unique_ID{BRK03575}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Cavernous Hemangioma}
- $Subject{Cavernous Hemangioma Cavernous Angioma Hemangioma, Familial
- Congenital Vascular Cavernous Malformations Cavernomas Nevus Cavernosus
- Vascular Erectile Tumor Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain Moyamoya
- Disease Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Von Hippel-Lindau Disease}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 620:
- Cavernous Hemangioma
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of the article (Cavernous Hemangioma)
- is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
- alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Hemangioma, Familial
- Congenital Vascular Cavernous Malformations
- Cavernomas
- Nevus Cavernosus
- Vascular Erectile Tumor
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain
- Moyamoya Disease
- Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus
- Von Hippel-Lindau Disease
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section of this report.
-
- Cavernous Hemangioma is a rare, often congenital disorder of the venous
- (veins and arteries) system. The hemangioma is a mass resembling a tumor,
- consisting of large blood-filled spaces which and can occur at any site in
- the body.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Cavernous Hemangioma is a swelling or mass which is the result of an increase
- in the number of blood vessels, at a particular site in the body. The
- hemangioma can occur on the skin or in any organ or location throughout the
- entire body. The liver is the most common site for development of the
- Cavernous Hemangioma. However, the rectum, kidney, eyes, nerves, spinal cord
- and brain are also common locations. The Disorder can be either acquired or
- congenital.
-
- Causes
-
- There are several possible causes of Cavernous Hemangioma. It can be
- inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. (Human traits including the
- classic genetic diseases, are the product of the interaction of two genes,
- one received from the father and one from the other. In dominant disorders a
- single copy of the disease gene (received from either the mother or father)
- will be expressed "dominating" the other normal gene and resulting in
- appearance of the disease. The risk of transmitting the disorder from
- affected parent to offspring is fifty percent for each pregnancy regardless
- of the sex of the resulting child.) Hemangiomas may also be acquired as a
- result of injury to a particular area of the body. They may also occur for
- unknown reasons.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Cavernous Hemangiomas affect males and females of all ages in equal numbers.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Cavernous
- Hemangioma. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
-
- Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain are disorders that affect the
- blood vessels in the brain. They are classified as: Arteriovenous
- Malformations (abnormal arteries and veins), Cavernous Malformations
- (enlarged blood channels, Venous Malformations (abnormal veins), and
- Telangiectasias (enlarged capillary-sized vessels). These disorders may
- cause headaches, seizures, strokes or bleeding into the brain. They may
- affect arteries, veins and mid-sized blood vessels. (For more information on
- this disorder, choose "Arteriovenous" as your search term in the Rare Disease
- Database).
-
- Moyamoya Disease is a progressive disorder that affects blood vessels in
- the brain. It is characterized by narrowing and/or closing of the main
- artery to the brain which decreases the blood supply. This lack of blood may
- cause paralysis of the feet, legs or upper extremities. Cerebral bleeding,
- convulsions, headaches, various vision problems, mental deterioration, and
- psychiatric problems may also occur. (For more information on this disorder,
- choose "Moyamoya" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
-
- Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus is characterized by soft elevated blue, blue-black
- or purplish-red swellings, called hemangiomas or nevi, on the skin or just
- under the skin. The nodules may be tender, contain blood and be easily
- compressed. External nevi are usually located on the upper arms or trunk.
- Internally, nevi may be located in many different sites such as, the liver,
- lungs, spleen, gallbladder, kidney and skeletal muscles. Serious
- complications may accompany internal growths. When the gastrointestinal
- tract is affected uncontrolled bleeding may result in chronic anemia. If
- nevi are located in the brain, they may cause bleeding and increased
- intracranial pressure. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Blue
- Rubber" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
-
- Von Hippel-Lindau Disease is an hereditary disorder characterized by
- multiple focal tissue malformations called hemangioblastomas and angiomas.
- These growths may be found in the retina, brain, kidneys, adrenal glands, and
- other organs. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness and failure of
- muscular coordination (ataxia). Chronic high blood pressure may also be
- present. The disorder may begin during young adulthood, but can appear as
- early as the age of eight. Bulges in the blood vessels (aneurysms) may
- develop which may form a nodule (angioma) that resembles a balloon. Benign
- tumors (pheochromocytomas) of the adrenal glands may be present as well,
- causing chronic high blood pressure, pounding heartbeat, headache, cold hands
- and feet, and excessive sweating. (For more information on this disorder,
- choose "Von Hippel-Lindau" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Cavernous Hemangioma can be diagnosed with the use of various imaging
- diagnostic methods such as: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed
- Tomography (CT) Scans, and X-Rays to provide a comprehensive picture of the
- hemangioma and to give the doctor the most useful approach to take in
- treatment. The treatment usually consists of surgery to resect the blood
- vessels that make up the Hemangioma. Carbon dioxide laser surgery may be
- recommended for removal of external hemangiomas. Internal hemangiomas may be
- removed surgically or through radiation therapy.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
- 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
- entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
- check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
- information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Cavernous Hemangioma, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- NIH/National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-4236
-
- For Genetic Information and genetic counseling referrals:
-
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
- 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
- White Plains, NY 10605
- (914) 428-7100
-
- Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
- 35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
- Chevy Chase, MD 20815
- (800) 336-GENE
- (301) 652-5553
-
- References
-
- MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 8th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
- University Press, 1988. Pp. 133.
-
- INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown
- and Co., 1987. Pp.1007.
-
- COLORECTAL HEMANGIOMA; RADIOLOGIC FINDINGS. A.H. Dachman, et al.;
- Radiology, (April, 1988, issue 167 (1)). Pp. 31-34.
-
- CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE OPTIC NERVE. N. Maruoka, et al.; J Neurosurg
- (August, 1988, issue, 69 (2)). Pp. 292-294.
-
- CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE LIVER; ROLE OF PERCUTANEOUS BIOPSY. J.J.
- Cronan, et al.; Radiology (January, 1988, issue 166 (1 Pt 1) ). Pp. 135-138.
-
- CAVERNOUS ANGIOMAS OF THE SPINAL CORD. G.R. Cosgrove, et al.; J Neurosurg
- (January, 1988, issue 68 (1)). Pp. 31-36.
-
-