Telangiectasias are caused by blood vessel growth and dilation near the surface of your skin. They can occur anywhere on the body and are often inconsequential. In some cases, however, they are signs of an underlying disease process and should be properly evaluated by a physician.
Telangiectasias
There are various types of telangiectasias; the form and location of these superficial blood vessels are helpful in diagnosis. Although they may develop anywhere in the body, telangiectasias are typically seen on the skin and mucus membranes. Their presence is not necessarily harmful, however they do represent an increased risk of bleeding; in the event of rupture, telangiectasias may cause significant problems if they are located in the brain or gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis
According to Access Medicine, telangiectasias may be caused by a variety of conditions affecting blood vessels throughout the body. The underlying pathology in most cases has to do with increased angiogenesis, or blood vessel growth. Depending on the condition, the precise mechanism of disease varies. When your physician evaluates your telangiectasia, her list of potential diagnoses will likely include hereditary telangiectasia and spider angiomas.
Hereditary Telangiectasia
Also known as Osler-Rendu-Weber disease, this condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and typically presents during adulthood. The telangiectasias are commonly seen on the mucous membranes, face, and extremities. These vessels are visible because they have undergone arteriovenous malformations, meaning new blood vessels have developed directly connecting arteries to veins. This leads to blood bypassing the capillaries and presents as dark red, slightly elevated lesions. A major complication of this condition is the potential for gastrointestinal bleeding. If these blood vessels are forming throughout your gut, there is an increased probability of occult bleeding, which can lead to iron deficiency and anemia.
Spider Angioma
Another potential cause of telangiectasia on the nose is a condition known as spider angioma. Also known as spider telangiectasias, the mechanism of blood vessel formation in these cases involves elevated levels of estrogen in the circulation. Two common conditions that elevate blood estrogen are pregnancy and cirrhosis, or liver failure. With pregnancy, estrogen levels are elevated to support the developing fetus; in cirrhosis, the liver is diseased and has lost the capacity to break down estrogen in the blood, leading to increasing levels and the formation of spider angiomas.
References
- "Harrison's Internal Medicine: Skin Manifestations of Internal Disease"; Jean Bolognia and Irwin Braverman; 2010
- Medline Plus: Telangiectasia; Jonathan Kantor; April 2009
- Access Medicine: McGraw-Hill's Diagnosaurus 2.0
