Medical Health Encyclopedia

Telangiectasia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y

Angioma serpiginosum Telangiectasia - legs Telangiectasias - upper arm

Overview Treatment

Telangiectasia

Definition:

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

Alternative Names:
Vascular ectasias

Text Continues Below

---

Considerations:

Telangiectasias may develop anywhere within the body but can be easily seen in the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Usually, they do not cause symptoms. However, some telangiectasias bleed readily and cause significant problems. Telangiectasias may also occur in the brain and cause major problems from bleeding.

Common Causes:

• 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

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.