Spinal hemangioma pain

[Pris895]

I have been suffering back pain since 2002, had an MRI then which showed 3 hemangiomas on T2,T3 & T7, was advised these should not cause any pblm...pain has increased since then, just had another MRI, it shows that the T7 one has enlarged slightly & have new ones on T4,5, & 6..also a compression fracture that has healed. The Dr said he could do vertebroplasty on T7 but was not convinced it would help the pain. Again being told they should not be painful, but surely the fact that there is a healed fracture on T11 shows that something is going on. I have not had an accident or injury that would have caused this fracture.
Are there other cases of hemangiomas actually causing pain & fractures or is this just in my head as has been suggested by some of the medical community?


This discussion is related to hemangioma.

[joanni64]

Hi, I was diagnosed with the same thing 5 years ago, I too get relief from going to my chiropractor.   I do have pain and numbness in my upper back and lower back daily and sciatica as well. I have noticed that weight plays a big factor for me.  I  have gain 50 lbs in the last 3 years and pain has increased, I am trying to lose weight again to help relieve the pain.

[dmac84kev]

I have just been diagnosed with hemangiomas all up and down my spine.  The only relief I get is from my Chiropractor.  He adjusts my spine and this greatly relieves the pain.  I'm not saying this will work for everyone, but maybe something to consider.  I have been told not to worry about this and that it is common and should not cause any problems.  I would like to know from anyone if I should seek more medical attention and if it is indeed ok to continue my adjustments with the chiropractor or could he actually cause more damage.  I appreciate any help.  

[Maz1608]

Hi, I can assure you the pain is not your imagination!!  I have been suffering severe thoracic pain since October 08.  I have been diagnosed as having small haemangioma's on the T10 and other smaller ones travelling up the spine.  I have constant pain, living on opiates daily.  Around once a month i am unable to control the pain and end up in Accident and Emergency to be cannulated with even more opioides.  The pain usually exacerbates around my menstruation.  I am a staff nurse and luckily well known at my local hospitals A&E where I used to work. Unfortunately I had to leave this post to a more lighter position due to the constant pain.  Unfortunately, no one seems to know how to treat me other than pain control, which restricts my driving and other activities of daily living!  Why Why doesn't someone study these Haemangiomas and find a treatment as all spinal surgeons just disregard them!!! You are not alone, I am constantly searching for someone to help.  Will keep you informed if i ever find them.

[bhups1]

Hi, spinal hemangiomas can mimic the symptoms of lumbar spondylosis but incidence is quite low. Nerve compression due to tumor can lead to pain in leg.  “Vertebral collapse complicating spinal hemangiomas can cause neural compression due to impingement from bone, hematoma, or extraosseous/epidural soft-tissue extension of the hemangioma itself. This may result in paraplegia (cord compression), radiculopathy (nerve-root impingement), or varying degrees of autonomic neurologic dysfunction.

Other more common causes of back pain, such as spondylosis or disk prolapse, should be excluded before ascribing the symptoms to hemangioma. When symptoms occur, they can be vague and nonspecific. Vertebral collapse and epidural and/or extraosseous extension can result in back pain. Neural compression can produce paralysis and/or paraplegia or bladder and bowel dysfunction, whereas radicular symptoms occur from nerve-root impingement”. Taken from http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic322.htm

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