Continuing Education Activity

Spinal hemangiomas are the most common primary tumor of the spine. These lesions are of
vascular origin and usually involve a proliferation of normal capillary and venous structures.
These are usually an incidental finding found on radiological imaging of the body and spine. A
minority of these lesions can be associated with symptoms, primarily involving back pain and
neurologic complaints with some estimates of 0.9% to 1.2% becoming symptomatic. This
activity reviews the evaluation and management of spinal hemangiomas and explains the role of
the interprofessional team in managing patients affected by this condition.
Objectives:
 Identify the etiology and histopathology of spinal hemangiomas.
 Describe a complete evaluation and workup for patients presenting with suspected spinal
hemangioma.
 Summarize the appropriate treatment options and case management for spinal
hemangioma.
 Review the importance of coordination of the interprofessional team to provide optimal
care to patients with spinal hemangiomas and monitor for potential complications.

Introduction
Spinal hemangiomas are the most common primary tumor of the spine.[1] Usually benign, this
lesion is of vascular origin and like hemangiomas in other parts of the body usually involves a
proliferation of normal capillary and venous structures.[2] According to one study, they have
been identified in about 11% of patients at general autopsy.[3] These lesions are usually an
incidental finding often found on CT and MR imaging of the body and spine, and frequently in
radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine.[4] A minority of these lesions can be associated with
symptoms, primarily involving back pain and neurologic complaints with some estimates of
0.9% to 1.2% becoming symptomatic.[5] Symptoms can involve severe back pain worsened by
movement; however, mild to moderate pain can also be a presenting complaint.[6] In cases of
neurogenic pain, hemangiomas usually extend into the spinal canal or neural foramina.[7]

Etiology
Although the exact etiology and inciting factor of spinal hemangiomas genesis are not well
understood, a well-known characteristic of these benign lesions includes a vascular proliferation
of capillaries similar to hemangiomas in other parts of the body. Proliferation subsequently
causes a displacement of bone and in rarer cases erosion into the spinal canal. Unlike infantile
hemangiomas, hemangiomas of the spine do not spontaneously regress.

Epidemiology
The incidence of spinal hemangiomas has been reported as 11% in autopsy studies.[3] Most are
incidentally noted and can be characterized on radiographs of the spine as well as cross-sectional
imaging. Females are somewhat more affected than males.[8] Incidence has also been reported
on MRI studies as high as 27%.[8]

Histopathology
Grossly specimens can show periosteal elevation. Two histologic types of hemangiomas of the
vertebra can occur cavernous and capillary angiomas. Cavernous angiomas involve large blood
vessels not separated by normal bone. Capillary angiomas involve thin-walled capillary vessels
separated by normal bone. There is usually a capsule surrounding the lesion with adjacent bone
potentially exhibiting osteolysis.[9]

History and Physical

The primary goal of a thorough history and physical is 2-fold in the setting of symptomatic
hemangioma. A clinician must rule out more concerning etiologies and assessment of the
patient’s health status in the setting of a planned intervention.
Patient’s can often present with back pain, and a history of a previous incidentally-noted
hemangioma should not misdirect a clinician from thoroughly evaluating more concerning
etiologies of back pain including, but not limited, to metastasis, infection, primary malignancies
of the spinal cord, as well as osteoporotic compression fractures. History taking should include
onset, exacerbating and relieving factors, the intensity of pain, quality of pain, and radiation that
could suggest radiculopathy. Hemangiomas tend to present in the thoracic spine and can present
with pain in one location. Complaints of multiple sites of pain should raise a clinician’s suspicion
for metastatic lesions. More importantly, secondary symptoms play an important role, especially
in the setting of suspected metastasis. A thorough history, including but not limited to,
gastrointestinal and genitourinary review of systems questions should be elicited. Pain referred to
the back from other areas of the body, a known history of cancer, history of trauma, history of
osteoporosis, and pain that does not improve on lying down and resting should warrant further
evaluation including, but not limited to, additional imaging.
Physical examination primarily involves a thorough back examination that includes a visual
inspection of the overlying skin, assessing the curvature of the spine, and observing gait. The
range of motion should also be tested including forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and
rotation. The spine should be palpated specifically at the patient-indicated site of pain.
Percussion should be performed to assess for costovertebral tenderness. Considering
hemangiomas can erode into the spinal canal, assessing for radiculopathy is important in the
physical examination of the spine. Special maneuvers to asses for radiculopathy should be
performed including the straight leg raise test for the lower back and the Spurling maneuver in
the setting of cervical radiculopathy. Reflexes should be tested, and sensation with close
attention to the thoracic dermatomes should be performed. Finally, the physical examination
should include evaluation of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems.

Evaluation
The role of imaging is critical in the evaluation of a hemangioma including lesion size, site, and
degree of lytic involvement of the spinal canal and neuroforamina. Radiograph usually shows a
prominent trabecular pattern with vertical striations. The density of the vertebral body is often
increased giving a sclerotic appearance. Vertebral body height and size should remain
unaffected. On CT imaging, hemangiomas have a classic corduroy(accordion) pattern from
coarsening of the trabeculae. Although rare, bone destruction and extension into the adjacent soft
tissues including the spinal canal can be evaluated on CT imaging. MR imaging can definitively
assess for soft-tissue extension.

Treatment / Management
Given that the vast majority of hemangiomas are asymptomatic and are a benign entity,
treatment and intervention are usually not employed in asymptomatic patients. In the setting of
symptomatic patients, different interventions have been used in their treatment. Endovascular
embolization has been used to treat painful vertebral hemangiomas and has been shown to
relieve spinal cord compression from epidural extension.[10] Percutaneous vertebroplasty has
also been shown to be effective in pain relief.[11] Transpedicular ethanol injection has
been employed in the treatment of spinal hemangiomas; however, complications have been
seen.[12] Radiation therapy has also been used to treat painful lesions considering spinal
hemangiomas are radiosensitive lesions.[13]

Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis for sclerotic lesions of the spine is wide. Paget disease can be
considered in the setting of a vertebral body lesion mimicking a hemangioma; however, cortical
thickening is often present with a characteristic “picture frame sign.” Squaring of the vertebra
can also be appreciated. Sclerotic metastasis such as in the setting of prostate carcinoma,
osteosarcoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma should also be considered in the differential.
Other differentials include lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Complications
Complications, although rare, can infrequently occur. Pathologic burst fracture can be
problematic considering these highly vascular lesions can subsequently bleed causing a
hematoma and resultant cord compression.[14] Epidural extension, although also rare, can occur
leading to neurologic deficits in the setting of cord compression. Exiting nerve roots can also be
affected leading to neurologic symptoms. Spontaneous epidural hemorrhage can also occur,
although hemorrhage is usually an iatrogenic complication.

Consultations
 Pain medicine
 Orthopedics
 Neurosurgery

Deterrence and Patient Education

In the setting of a confirmed and asymptomatic hemangioma, a patient can be reassured that this
is a benign entity. However, the patient should return to the clinic in the setting of pain or
neurologic deficits of any kind. A thorough evaluation can then be performed to understand the
etiology of the symptoms and to confirm whether the new onset of symptoms is secondary to a
now symptomatic hemangioma or a different etiology.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Patients with symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas present to their primary care physician with
either back pain or neurologic symptoms. In the setting of back pain, a coordinated approach
between a primary care physician and a radiologist is important in understanding and identifying
whether a vertebral hemangioma or another pathology is the pain generator during a specific
complaint about back pain. In more severe cases of back pain, a physiatrist can play an important
role in managing pain. In cases of neurologic symptoms, surgical intervention is often necessary,
and a coordinated approach with a radiologist in identifying the degree of extension into the
spinal cord or neural foramina is important.