I recognize a cavernous hemangioma by these symptoms
It is relatively rare that a cavernous hemangioma does not regress by the age of five. However, it can happen that a very slowly growing hemangioma does not cause symptoms until a higher age. In hemangiomas of the skin you may notice a soft bluish-purple discolored bump which is not painful.
Under certain circumstances, the hemangioma can bleed a lot when injured. A hemangioma of the liver is often asymptomatic and is only detected by chance.Thus, you cannot detect any symptoms in yourself that would indicate a hemangioma of the liver. If there is a hemangioma in the eye socket, you may notice a feeling of pressure behind the eye.
You may also notice a slight protrusion of the eyeball. A cavernous hemangioma of the brain may never cause symptoms in the course of life. However, it is possible that an epileptic seizure may occur.
If this is the case, you will be examined very thoroughly by specialists. Imaging of the brain will be arranged and other neurological examinations will be performed. The clarification of the causes of an epileptic seizure is very extensive and if a hemangioma has caused the epilepsy, it is very likely that it will be found.
- Epileptic seizure
- Pain behind the eye
Diagnosis of a cavernous hemangioma
A cavernous hemangioma is clinically diagnosed when it is located on the skin. This means that a cavernous hemangioma can be diagnosed by means of a physical examination thanks to its typical appearance. However, if a hemangioma develops on internal organs, the diagnosis is usually made by imaging. At the liver, a hemangioma can be detected by ultrasound and can usually be easily distinguished from other growths. A hemangioma in the head region, i.e. in the eye socket or brain, is diagnosed by a CT or MRI examination.
Treatment of cavernous hemangioma
The cavernous hemangioma very often heals on its own without any treatment. In any case, however, it should be observed and removed in case of an increase in size. Several methods are available for the treatment of the hemangioma.
In the case of smaller and unproblematic hemangiomas, treatment is based on obliteration of the blood vessels that make up the hemangioma. This sclerotherapy can be performed by means of freezing, a method also known as cryotherapy. Another method of sclerotherapy is the laser.
Lasers use bundled light that generates heat. The heat causes the vessels to become sclerosed again. In rare cases, it may be necessary to remove the hemangioma using surgical procedures. More recent approaches include the treatment of cavernous hemangiomas using beta-blockers, an established group of drugs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In the treatment of cavernous hemangioma, good results have been achieved with the beta-blocker propanolol.
