Hemangioma overview

# Overview
Hemangioma was first described by Dr. Robert Liston, a British surgeon, in 1843. Hemangioma may be classified according to International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies into six subtypes: Infantile hemangioma, congenital hemangioma, tufted angioma, spindle-cell hemangioma, epithelioid hemangioma, and lobular capillary hemangioma. Development of hemangioma is the result of genetic mutations, overexpression of angiogenic fators and downregulation of inhibitors of angiogenesis. Hemangioma may be associated with POEMS syndrome and Castleman disease. On gross pathology, spongy with vascular compartments of various sizes separated by fibrous tissue are findings of hemangioma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, channels lined by benign endothelium containing red blood cells are findings of hemangioma. There are no established causes for hemangioma. Hemangioma must be differentiated from other diseases such as: Congenital hemangioma, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, tufted angioma, and nevus flammeus, and pyogenic granuloma. The prevalence of infantile hemangioma is estimated to be up to 10% in general population. Hemangioma commonly affects infants. Females are more commonly affected with hemangioma than males. Common risk factors in the development of hemangioma are female gender, prematurity, low birth weight, and fair skin. According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for hemangioma. If left untreated, 20% of patients with hemangioma may progress to develop ulceration, hemorrhage, infection, and high output cardiac failure. Common complications of hemangioma include ischemia, necrosis, ulceration, and bleeding. Prognosis is generally good. Physical examination findings of superficial hemangioma include well-demarcated, flat, and erythematous red patches. The majority of cases of hemangioma are self-limited. Patients with small, stable hemangiomas in non-vital sites are treated with "wait and see" approach, whereas patients with fast growth of hemangioma are treated medically. Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with hemangioma. It is usually reserved for patients with either massive protuberant proliferating hemangioma and lesions that are refractory to less invasive treatments.

# Historical Perspective
Hemangioma was first described by Dr. Robert Liston, a British surgeon, in 1843.

# Classification
Hemangioma may be classified according to International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies into six subtypes: Infantile hemangioma, congenital hemangioma, tufted angioma, spindle-cell hemangioma, epithelioid hemangioma, and lobular capillary hemangioma.

# Pathophysiology
Development of hemangioma is the result of genetic mutations, overexpression of angiogenic fators and downregulation of inhibitors of angiogenesis. Hemangioma may be associated with POEMS syndrome and Castleman disease. On gross pathology, spongy with vascular compartments of various sizes separated by fibrous tissue are findings of hemangioma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, channels lined by benign endothelium containing red blood cells are findings of hemangioma.

# Causes
There are no established causes for hemangioma.

# Differentiating Hemangioma from other Diseases
Hemangioma must be differentiated from other diseases such as: Congenital hemangioma, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, tufted angioma, and nevus flammeus, and pyogenic granuloma.

# Epidemiology and Demographics
The prevalence of infantile hemangioma is estimated to be up to 10% in general population. Hemangioma commonly affects infants. Females are more commonly affected with hemangioma than males.

# Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of hemangioma are female gender, prematurity, low birth weight, and fair skin.

# Screening
According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for hemangioma.

# Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
If left untreated, 20% of patients with hemangioma may progress to develop ulceration, hemorrhage, infection, and high output cardiac failure. Common complications of hemangioma include ischemia, necrosis, ulceration, and bleeding. Prognosis is generally good.

# Diagnosis

# Staging
There is no established system for the staging of hemangioma.

## History and symptoms
Symptoms of hemangioma include: flat, and erythematous red patches.

## Physical Examination
Physical examination findings of superficial hemangioma include well-demarcated, flat, and erythematous red patches.

## Laboratory Findings
There are no diagnostic lab findings associated with hemangioma.

## CT
On CT scan, hemangioma of the liver is characterized by dynamic enhancement pattern related to the size of its vascular space.

## MRI

## Ultrasound
Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of hemangioma. Findings on ultrasound suggestive of hemangioma include fat, phleboliths or prominent vascular channels.

# Treatment

## Medical therapy
The majority of cases of hemangioma are self-limited. Patients with small, stable hemangiomas in non-vital sites are treated with "wait and see" approach, whereas patients with fast growth of hemangioma are treated medically.

## Surgery
Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with hemangioma. It is usually reserved for patients with either massive protuberant proliferating hemangioma and lesions that are refractory to less invasive treatments.

## Primary Prevention
There are no primary or secondary preventive measures available for hemangioma.