Definition A spider angioma is a collection of tiny dilated blood vessels. The vessels usually radiate out from a central point and resemble the legs of a spider.
What is going on in the body? A spider angioma is formed when a group of blood vessels dilates in a characteristic "spider leg" pattern. A spider angioma can be seen in a healthy person without any apparent cause, but is more common in individuals with liver disease or altered hormone levels.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? A spider angioma looks like a red dot on the skin, with radiating lines of tiny blood vessels that resemble a spider's legs.
What are the causes and risks of the condition? A spider angioma can occur in a healthy person with no apparent cause, and may occasionally be seen on a child's face. However, a spider angioma is more likely to occur in:
a person with chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis
What can be done to prevent the condition? Liver disease such as cirrhosis may sometimes be avoided if the person stops drinking alcohol. Spider angioma may be a side effect of oestrogen therapy, so could be avoided if the woman does not take oestrogen. In normal persons without these risk factors, the cause of the spider angioma is unknown and prevention is not possible.
How is the condition diagnosed? The doctor can diagnose a spider angioma by its characteristic appearance.
What are the long-term effects of the condition? There are no long-term effects of a spider angioma.
What are the risks to others? Spider angiomas are not contagious, and pose no risk to others.
What are the treatments for the condition? Since spider angiomas are harmless, treatment is usually done only for cosmetic purposes. The angioma may be removed by:
electrocautery, a procedure in which an electrical current is applied with a needle to seal off the blood vessels
laser surgery, which uses a directed laser beam to seal off the vessels
What are the side effects of the treatments? Removal of a spider angioma may cause bruising or tenderness.
What happens after treatment for the condition? Spider angiomas may reappear, but repeat treatment is usually successful.
How is the condition monitored? Spider angiomas of childhood and pregnancy will often go away without treatment. No specific monitoring of angiomas is needed.
Author: Lynn West, MD Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
