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spider angioma (nevus araneus, arterial spider)
A red focal telangiectatic network of dilated capillaries radiating from a central arteriole.
Etiology:
1) liver disease
a) subacute & chronic viral hepatitis
b) alcoholic cirrhosis
2) increased estrogen
a) pregnancy
b) estrogen therapy
3) idiopathic
Epidemiology:
1) not uncommon in normal individuals, but up to 15% in normal elderly
2) more common in females
3) may occur in children (no medical significance)
Pathology:
1) central arteriole, slightly raised above skin surface (the spider body)
2) blood flows out through radiating capillaries (the spider legs)
Clinical manifestations:
1) up to 1.5 cm in diameter
2) generally solitary
3) radiating telangiectasia blanch & central arteriole may pulsate
4) most commonly occurs on the face, forearms & hands
5) spider angiomas arising in childhood & during pregnancy may regress spontaneously
* images [3]
Differential diagnosis:
1) hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
2) ataxia telangiectasia
3) systemic scleroderma
Management: electrodesiccation or laser surgery
General
telengiectasia
nevus
sign/symptom
References
- Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Common
& Serious Diseases, 3rd ed, Fitzpatrick et al, McGraw Hill, NY,
1997, pg 158
- Principles of Geriatric Medicine, 4th ed,, Hazzard et al (eds),
McGraw-Hill, NY, 1999, pg 582
- DermNet NZ. Angiomas (images)
http://www.dermnetnz.org/vascular/angioma.html