Vertebral body hemangioma

Hi,
My mother was diagnosed through MRI to have a very large vertebral body hemangioma, among other spine issues!  After a very long series of other tests, she received an mri to find this out and we think it may be the cause of her symptoms, including bowel dysfunction/incontinence.  Can you tell us what kind of doctor she should now go to?Thank you,
Gina

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Hemangiomas are abnormal blood vessels that confluences to produce a tumor like growth.  These are usually benign tumors but can really cause serious symptoms if they are compressing vital nearby structures (like spinal nerves if the hemangioma is located in the spine).

Another problem with hemangiomas is that these can get really bloody if operated on, and while surgical removal may be one of the best option, the success rate will depend on the expertise and confidence of the surgeon (a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine surgeon).

Other forms of treatment would include interferon therapy, which can be given by a hematology specialist.

Regards.

[jeannie11]

Iam a 56 year old female I have a degenerative disc disease among otherthings through an MRI about 8 months ago a small hemangioma was seen in the vertebral body L2 another MRI was done again a month ago ,  and the hemangioma that was small now is big and addition to that one now I have another at the vertebral body of L5. I am  in alot of pain and feel a great of pressureI have already seen my doctor and he has ordered for me to do a series of tests. My questions are what is making these hemangiomans grow, how dangerous are they ,who should I be consulting. someone help me please.

[issabellaB]

I recently started having episodes of severe Back pain,it felt like a broomstick digging into my back. After 3 bad nights
I went to the ER. The ER MD told me I had some degenerative disk disease. He dismissed me with a months supply of pain medicine and a muscle relaxer. A month later I went to get the radiologist report. It described a vertebral
Hemangioma at T7. Exactly where my Pain was. Two months later I went to a neurosurgeon . Who didn"t think my
pain was related to the T7 Hermangioma. He ordered a mri of my cervical,thoracic and lumbar spine. Not only do I have one but multiples of hemangiomas. Did they just appear or were they present all along. Have they been growing
since 02/2010

[tiff1968]

I just wanted to update and tell everyone thank you for all the suggestions. I finally found a surgeon who was able to help me after seeing 7 different surgeons from San Diego to Fontana. I am finally pain free and able to have a normal life again. I found an excellent surgeon at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, his name is Dr. Hyun Bae he performed the Embolization and Vertebroplasty on me and it sure indeed worked, for the first time in 5 years, I am pain free. If anyone needs anymore info, pleas feel free to email me at ***@****

Tiffany

[Chris1392]

I had a fusion at L5/S1 in 11/11.  In Jan. realized I wasn't getting brain signal to use restroom, couldn't urinate, and couldn't feel myself "going" to bathroom (either way).  Pain Mgmt. got a myleogram done and found my bones not fused yet (still not 8 months later).  Right Leg numbness & numbness started getting worse in January-now it's all the way up the leg (nerve compression).  Can't walk but a little and back hurts at L3 - L3 was herniated since 2010 but my spine dr. didn't want to do that area because of the severity of L5/S1.  I have a vertebral hemangioma that is 20 mm in size inside my L3 disc now (it was there in 2010 but size was not on the map)!  I have a tarlov cyst at S2.  My pain in so severe I have to keep going to the emergency room to get help.  My blood pressure is up from the pain hyper II now & back in Feb. it was normal.  Before surgery in November 2011 I only had 3 herniated disc - 2 were fixed---now my last MRI showed I now have 4 bulging discs up above L5 site--& one that herniated is in the neck (could explain bathroom signal?) that the emergency room nurse read off the computer but I don't have proof, & have severe narrowing at L5 as well as spinal stenosis now.  The vertebral hemangioma is crippling me, I have lost bowel & bladder control, right leg completely numb and left leg creeping up.  My spine surgeon was called in that night (he was one who told me to go to ER after my left foot was going numb) to see MRI & he called my family doctor even.  My Spine doc's assistant said I had several herniated disc and spinal stenosis.  When I called to speak to my spine Doc the nurse told me he said I needed to go to urology (for urine/bowel incontinence) and go see my family doc (probably high bp) and that my problem was NOT back related.  So am I to assume he is passing the buck on me & I need to find a new spine surgeon?  No wonder he didn't touch the L3 disc back then and now it's only getting extremely worse.  I have so much pain I have to sleep in a chair and usually only 3 hours of sleep a night even with med.  Or is it that he has to get my blood pressure/kidneys checked before he can do another surgery?  I go to a neurologist for nerve testing June 21 and now a urologist June 13.  I need help now.  I need to find someone who will help me and not wait 3 months for testing (neurologist).  Please reply soon.  I am soooo new to this site so bare with me.  Thanks.  Chris

[shridhar111]

HI ,I M 26 YEAR OLD MALE ,had severe back pain,got admitted ..MRI done..report says..T1/T2 hypointense centre with peripheral hyperintensity likely haemangioma.diffuse posteriordisc bulge at L4-L5 causing thecal sac compression of bilateral neural foramina .heterogeneous marrow signal intensity in D11 body exhibits T1 hypo and T2 hyperintensity with leftparavertebral signal intensity..consider pott's disease..wat do u suggest

[hughesie903]

Chris, I can only say that I empathise with you completely.  Your pain levels sound unbearable, not to mention problems with your toilieting.  I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, facet joint disease, osteoarthritis, osteophytes growing everywhere!, two hemangiomas, and  foramenal stenosis.  Can't walk some days.  Can't sleep most nights.  I am anxious, depressed, irratable and very scared for the future.  One surgeon told me I didn't have stenosis without any diagnostic tests..wow, she must have x-ray vision and be able to see straight through my skin!  she suggested an injection into my hip, I told her to get lost!!! then had the MRI scan to find everything going wrong...My GP said I certainly have more than my fair share of issues with my back.  to add to all this, last year I slipped and have been in chronic pain in my arm, shoulder and chest (which is completely numb on the left side...perhaps now would be a good time to have a tattoo? some body piercing???  Please don't think I'm taking my situation lightly or being flippant, but I have to try to find some humour in my situation or I would just give up all hope.
I despair of ever finding a surgeon who can actually tell me what IS causing my pain, each once suggests a different issue!!  
There must be somebody out there who can help us?

[tobeyanne]

I have just found out that I have a hemangioma (3/4") in my L2 area.  My pelvic, lower back and hip are in constant pain.  I can actually put my finger at the right spot.

How did you find a good surgeon?  What requirements did you look for?  I do not want to bleed to death with a surgeon who may not know what he is doing.  

I am going to a surgeon in a week and a half for him to read my MRI.  I have complained about this lower back pain for over 2 yrs:  had to do physical therapy; take prednisone; and now MRI, which is the only way a hemangioma can be found.

Help.