Spinal Hemangioma

[johnston]

I have been diagnosed with a benign vertebral hemangioma on C7 that is 7mm. I have sharp throbbing pain that starts between my shoulder blades and shoots into both arms. I have been to an oncologist, and a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon said to do nothing but "watch" it, and repeat the MRI in 6 months. I wouldn't be opposed to that, except that I have so much pain.  It is becoming unbearable and I have been on high doses of hydrocodone for the last 5 weeks.

In order to diagnose this, I have undergone a CT Scan, Bone Scan, and MRI.  

I have researched hemangioma extensively and have yet to find anything about this type of tumor being located in the cervical vertebrae.

What is the typical treatment for this?  Although this tumor seems small, I believe it is the cause for the pain.  Do you also believe that something so small could cause so much pain?  I have been getting nowhere with the doctors in my area and am ready to go over 400 miles away to get help.  Do you think this is necessary or should I just give up and hope the pain subsides in the next six months?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am losing patience.

Thanks,

JJ

[johnston]

Dr. Johnson,

I have since been to a neurosurgeon in Dallas, Texas.  He told me that the hemangioma is an "incidental finding" and that something else is causing the pain.  I have, however, gotten a copy of my MRI report.  It shows that I have "minimal left sided neural foraminal narrowing".  When I questioned him about it, he said that it wasn't bad enough to risk surgery to reduce the narrowing.  He referred me back to my oncologist, who has already determined it isn't cancer.  

So....I have been sent to a pain management doctor who specializes in non-surgical treatment of spinal disorders.  After all but calling me a drug addict (which really made me angry) she tried to tell me that I just have muscle problems.  I have been through two weeks of physical therapy, including traction, which has not helped at all.  I am now experiencing a "burning pain" in my arms, and I'm not sure who to talk to about it.  I am beginning to feel worse, and I am no longer on the pain medication.  All I have is a muscle relaxer that I can't take during the daytime.  Do you think the therapy is actually making me worse?  Or could it even do that?

Any further help that you or anyone else can provide will be greatly appreciated.  Oh...what kind of doctor are you, just out of curiousity?

Thanks,

JJ

[singingrep]

A hemangioma is a benign tumor of the blood vessels.  Benign means that is has no malignant potential, therefore they usually do not cause any problems.  Sometimes they are problematic.  In your case you are loosing function of both your arms as evident by the fact that it takes both your arms to lift a gallon of milk.  It is time for a more detailed examination by a reconstructive neurosurgeon.  The surgery is extremely complicated since they have to remove a tumor of blood vessels which bleeds profusely and reconstruct or fuse your neck at that level.  They usually harvest bone from a cadaver and your own hips to reconstruct the spine.  You are going to lose some motion of your neck when they fuse your spine.  I have seen blood loss of up to 4 units with this surgery, so you might want to donate several pints of your own blood prior to surgery so they have it avaliable in case you need it. The surgery is not without risk, and I usually advise my patients to delay as long as possible or at least until they are symptomatic.  You are symptomatic so it is time for a second opinion.  I would advise a second opinion from a place that specializes in spine problems.  I think a neurosurgeon would be more appropriate than an orthopedic surgeon to evaluate this.  Dr. Johnson

[singingrep]

A hemangioma is a benign tumor of the blood vessels.  Benign means that is has no malignant potential, therefore they usually do not cause any problems.  Sometimes they are problematic.  In your case you are loosing function of both your arms as evident by the fact that it takes both your arms to lift a gallon of milk.  It is time for a more detailed examination by a reconstructive neurosurgeon.  The surgery is extremely complicated since they have to remove a tumor of blood vessels which bleeds profusely and reconstruct or fuse your neck at that level.  They usually harvest bone from a cadaver and your own hips to reconstruct the spine.  You are going to lose some motion of your neck when they fuse your spine.  I have seen blood loss of up to 4 units with this surgery, so you might want to donate several pints of your own blood prior to surgery so they have it avaliable in case you need it. The surgery is not without risk, and I usually advise my patients to delay as long as possible or at least until they are symptomatic.  You are symptomatic so it is time for a second opinion.  I would advise a second opinion from a place that specializes in spine problems.  I think a neurosurgeon would be more appropriate than an orthopedic surgeon to evaluate this.  Dr. Johnson

[singingrep]

A hemangioma is a benign tumor of the blood vessels.  Benign means that is has no malignant potential, therefore they usually do not cause any problems.  Sometimes they are problematic.  In your case you are loosing function of both your arms as evident by the fact that it takes both your arms to lift a gallon of milk.  It is time for a more detailed examination by a reconstructive neurosurgeon.  The surgery is extremely complicated since they have to remove a tumor of blood vessels which bleeds profusely and reconstruct or fuse your neck at that level.  They usually harvest bone from a cadaver and your own hips to reconstruct the spine.  You are going to lose some motion of your neck when they fuse your spine.  I have seen blood loss of up to 4 units with this surgery, so you might want to donate several pints of your own blood prior to surgery so they have it avaliable in case you need it. The surgery is not without risk, and I usually advise my patients to delay as long as possible or at least until they are symptomatic.  You are symptomatic so it is time for a second opinion.  I would advise a second opinion from a place that specializes in spine problems.  I think a neurosurgeon would be more appropriate than an orthopedic surgeon to evaluate this.  Dr. Johnson

[Becky100]

I have been in alot of pain since July 3, 2003.  They just discovered two weeks ago from an MRI that I had done that I have a Hemangioma at the C-6 in my Neck.  I am in so much pain in my left arm.  Trying to find information about this condition is like looking for a needle in a haystack.  I am to the point of asking for a pain pill to try and help to decrease the pain some until they come to a decision about this problem.  I would like to find someone who has information about this problem.  If there is anyone I can talk to I would appreciate it.  Right now I have to go because the pain is to much just sitting at the computer.  Thank you for any information anyone can give me.

Becky

[johnston]

MEL55:
I am having the same trouble.  Every doctor I go to tells me that this should not cause pain.  But....it does.  Only mine radiates into both arms because of where it is.  You should do some research to find out what nerves could be affected by a tumor in this area, especially if you start having referred pain (down your legs for example).  There is a multitude of information on the net, however if you type in hemangioma in a search engine, you mostly get infomation on the skin hemangioma.  Try spinal hemangioma.  I hope you have better luck than I have had so far.  Mine started about 2 and a half months ago, and I am still on extremely strong painkillers.  I am also having to go to a neurosurgeon 3 hours away.  Good Luck.  If you need more information I will be happy to tell you what I have learned.  Post your email address and I will email you.

JJ