Definition
Blood sponges are also called haemangiomas in medical terminology and are benign tumours. They develop from the innermost cell layer of the vessels, the so-called endothelium. Ultimately, a haemangioma consists of a proliferation of the smallest vessels and owes its name to its pronounced blood supply.
About 75% of the blood sponges are already present at birth. Premature babies seem to be affected up to 10 times more frequently than the rest of the population. Benign tumours are divided into different classes (cavernous, capillary, senile, generalised) and can in principle occur wherever blood vessels are present.
Causes
The origin and causes of the occurrence of haemangioma are currently the subject of research. Blood sponges are vascular malformations that develop when vessels grow. However, it is not entirely clear why they do this in some people and not in others.
Various factors are discussed that can lead to the development of haemangioma:
- One possible aspect that can contribute is an inherited component. Blood sponges are not directly hereditary, but certain genes and variations in the DNA seem to favour the occurrence of blood sponges. – Other mechanisms must also be involved, since blood sponges are more likely to occur in premature babies, for example.
They are about 10 times more likely to be found in premature babies compared to mature babies. – Neoplastic causes are also discussed. There is no evidence that alcohol consumption contributes to the development of haemangioma. However, the following should be noted: Especially during pregnancy, abstinence from alcohol is essential for the healthy development of the child. Although there is no direct link to the development of haemangiomas, alcohol should not be used lightly.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a superficial haematopoietic sponge is usually already possible by looking closely at it. Blood sponges on the skin are reddish to purple in colour due to the dilated vessels. They can vary in size.
Unlike port-wine stains, however, they are raised above the level of the skin and can be felt. It is a kind of ulcer. An ultrasound examination is suitable for assessing the deep growth of the haemangioma.
This examination is important to decide whether a haemangioma should be treated. If the growth is very deep, it may be impaired. Blood sponges that are located deeper are usually recognized as a chance finding in the context of other diseases.
A good example is hemangiomas of the liver. These are usually noticed during a CT or MRT examination. In the case of liver hemangiomas, contrast medium sonography is also suitable for closer diagnosis.
Associated symptoms
Blood sponges can show quite different symptoms depending on their location: Depending on their location, blood sponges can also cause physical symptoms: An important special form of hemangioma is the cavernous hemangioma. – In general, a haemangioma as such does not cause any symptoms. – Superficial haemangiomas that are located on the skin are free of symptoms.
- However, very large or facial haemangiomas can become a psychological burden for the affected person. For this reason, these haemangiomas are often removed for cosmetic reasons. – An example of this are haemangioma that are located in the eye socket.
Due to their growth they can impede vision and lead to double vision. – Blood sponges on the eyelid impede the opening of the eyes and thus also restrict vision. – Blood sponges in skin folds or around the armpits can be sensitive to pressure and cause pain when clothing rubs against them.
Bleeding is also possible. – The so-called cavernomas occupy a special position among the haemangioma. These vascular malformations are usually located in the brain or spinal cord and can lead to epileptic seizures or paralysis.
In the worst case, cerebral haemorrhages may occur. Blood sponges can bleed very heavily in some cases. Depending on the size and location of the blood sponge, the risk of bleeding may be increased.
Especially large haemangioma sponges on mechanically stressed body parts, such as the skin folds or lips, can bleed easily. So-called cavernomas of the brain pose a particular risk for bleeding. Cavernomas are also blood sponges. However, they occur especially in the brain and spinal cord. In the worst case, cavernomas can lead to life-threatening cerebral haemorrhages and may therefore require surgical removal.
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