About Hemangiomas

Spinal hemangioma refers to a benign tumor that can develop in the lower (lumbar) or mid-back (thoracic) regions, often without any significant symptoms. In fact, these spinal tumors are fairly common in adults from 30 to 50 years, and they typically do not present any problems. However, in a few cases, symptoms can arise when a spinal hemangioma tumor places pressure on the vertebra and causes pain. In these circumstance if the condition is not treated, it could result in serious neurological damage.

These conditions are best treated by an orthopedic oncologist with a skill set like Dr. Daniel C. Allison in Los Angeles. In cases with musculoskeletal and neurological damage from a hemangioma or sarcoma, Dr. Allison can skillfully navigate through delicate bone and tissue to repair, restore, and preserve muscle and nerve function. Only a handful of surgeons in the country are qualified in this field, and Dr. Allison in Los Angeles is regarded as one of the most highly skilled, especially in the field of limb preservation.

Specialized Diagnosis for Hemangioma

The majority of patients diagnosed with spinal hemangioma report not having any symptoms, but approximately 20% do feel pain especially if the growth presses on sensitive nerves. Less frequently, there can also be complications from spinal cord compression affecting muscle performance, leg use, bowel, or bladder control.

Some other symptoms can include

Back pain
Nerve inflammation
Radiating pain affecting a nerve

Patients are more likely to consult their doctor if they experience back pain but determining the source of the discomfort can be challenging unless the doctor is a specialist like Dr. Allison. An orthopedic oncologist with Dr. Allison’s qualifications has the diagnostic ability to assess the effect spinal hemangioma tumor compression can have on musculoskeletal and neurological structures. He can then develop the most appropriate treatment for spinal hemangioma to preserve nerve function, restore mobility, and relieve pain.  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov  talks more about spinal hemanigioma symptoms.

Effective Treatment for Hemangioma

In cases where the spinal hemangioma is advanced and requires immediate treatment, Dr. Allison in Los Angeles would most likely recommend surgical intervention to relieve any spinal cord compression. In addition to removing the tumor, he could perform a laminectomy or vertebrectomy, removing small bones or vertebra, to relieve the patient from weakness or numbness that was caused by the hemangioma.

Alternative Treatment for Hemangioma

An alternative treatment is radiation therapy which is usually recommended when symptoms are less intense and invasive. Radiotherapy destroys tumor cells to relieve a patient from any pain or discomfort.

The technical skills Dr. Allison uses to diagnose and treat spinal hemangioma and other soft tissue masses were developed from his experience with bone and soft tissue cancer patients. He can perform complex procedures with ease, removing harmful tumors while preserving surrounding nerves and soft tissue.

To learn more about spinal hemangiomas, please visit  ncbi.gov.