Spinal Hemangioma

[MonikaC]

Can anybody refer me to a UK based neurosurgeon.
I have been suffering with accute pain for over 4 years now, over that period I have recently found out that there is a hemangioma in T1.
The surgeon I have seen in Leeds accepts that the hemangioma can be excised, but that he after consultation with his colleagues has come to the conclusion that it is benign and cannot therefore be causing the pain. However, neither can they find any other cause of the pain.
Can anyone recommend a specialist who recognises the condition?
Any help/advice wold be greatly appreciated!
  

[tjones007]

My last sentence I meant to say these BENIGN VERTEBRAL HEMANGIOMAS cannot be remove a lot of the time with cause excessive bleeding and bone damage...so, that in itself hardly makes them benign!  Thank you.

[tjones007]

Dear Dr. Pillay,

You made a comment that internal hemangiomas are like birth marks but only on the inside of our body and they don't cause pain.  Do birthmarks on our skin grow?  Do they have a vascular supply?  Do skin hemangiomas grow?  First of all I do not believe vertebral hemangiomas are like birthmarks...these so called birthmarks can cause your bones to weaken, they can actually cause vertebral collapse and they can also keep growing and cause spinal cord compression.  I don't care what the majority of neurologists or neurosurgeons believe.  People who have hemangiomas are not crazy - the pain is very real!  Why are we wasting our time trying to find answers for our pain, when we could be doing better things with our lives then reserching for information to resolve our dilemma.  So many doctors lack bedside manner and they dismiss their patients and have no idea what it is like to live with this pain. So my point is, hemangiomas are of concern because they do have a vascular supply and can grow and cause irreparable damage.  I don't think doctors pay attention because they cannot remove BENIGN tumors so easily without cause extensive bleading or bone damage...so, that in itself hardly makes them benign!

[JainMD]

Hi Monika,
How are you feeling?
Can you tell us where the pain is and what is its distribution?
You were diagnosed with hemangioma
A hemangioma is an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels that may occur in any vascularized tissue.
This benign tumor of vascular origin usually affects the skeletal system, but it also may occur in the soft tissues. Hemangioma in the vertebra may lead to vertebral collapse, with local pain and neurologic findings. Normally vertebral hemangioma may cause cord compression and fractures.
But most vertebral hemangioma is asymptomatic.
Surgery should be avoided when possible.
Compressive dressings can aid in nonoperative treatment.
Sclerosing therapy (using alcohol) is the preferred method of treatment.
Hemangiomas of bone seldom need surgical treatment.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.