Telangiectasia

Alternative names:

vascular ectasias

Definition:

Abnormally dilated blood vessels associated with a number of diseases.

Considerations:

Telangiectasia may develop anywhere within the body but can be easily seen in the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Telangiectasia are generally associated with a disease state or hereditary abnormality. Some telangiectasia bleed readily and cause significant problems. Telangiectasia may also occur in the brain and cause significant problems from bleeding.

Common causes:

• facial telangiectasia associated with age, sun exposure, or alcohol use
• hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome)
• ataxia - telangiectasia
• spider angioma
• cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (an inherited disorder)
• Bloom syndrome
• Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome
• Sturge-Weber disease
• xeroderma pigmentosa
• nevus flammeus such as port-wine stain

Note: There may be other disorders associated with telangiectasia. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for telangiectasia, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.