Definition

Telangiectasias are abnormally dilated blood vessels associated with a number of diseases.

Alternative Names

Vascular ectasias

Considerations

Telangiectasias may develop anywhere within the body but can be easily seen in the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. Though most are asymptomatic, some telangiectasias bleed readily and cause significant problems. Telangiectasias may also occur in the brain and cause significant problems frombleeding.

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

Review Date: 10/27/2003
Reviewed By: Jeffrey Drayer, M.D., Dermatologist, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.