Microvenular hemangioma
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Synopsis

Microvenular hemangioma, also known as microcapillary angioma or microcapillary hemangioma, is a rare, benign, acquired vascular proliferation. It typically presents as a solitary, asymptomatic, purple to red papule, plaque, or nodule on an extremity or the trunk. Young adults are most commonly affected, and there is a slight female predominance. Occasionally, there may be pruritus, tenderness, or multiple lesions.
The etiology of this vascular growth is unclear. No clear predisposing medical history or risk factors have been identified. There have been case reports of young women who developed microvenular hemangiomas who recently changed hormonal contraceptives or were pregnant. In addition, multiple microvenular hemangiomas have been reported in a patient with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes).
Most microvenular hemangiomas grow slowly and stabilize in size, typically less than 2 cm in diameter. They do not recur after excision.
The etiology of this vascular growth is unclear. No clear predisposing medical history or risk factors have been identified. There have been case reports of young women who developed microvenular hemangiomas who recently changed hormonal contraceptives or were pregnant. In addition, multiple microvenular hemangiomas have been reported in a patient with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes).
Most microvenular hemangiomas grow slowly and stabilize in size, typically less than 2 cm in diameter. They do not recur after excision.
Codes
ICD10CM:
D18.01 – Hemangioma of skin and subcutaneous tissue
SNOMEDCT:
403964007 – Microvenular hemangioma
D18.01 – Hemangioma of skin and subcutaneous tissue
SNOMEDCT:
403964007 – Microvenular hemangioma
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
If solitary:
- Lobular capillary hemangioma (pyogenic granuloma) – Eruptive and ulcerated, possible history of trauma.
- Hemangioma and variants – Capillary / infantile, tufted, targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma, etc.
- Nevus
- Dermatofibroma
- Kaposi sarcoma (especially patch stage) – Distinct histologic features, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) positive, some are associated with AIDS (see AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma).
- Angiosarcoma
- Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma
- Kaposi sarcoma (especially patch stage) – Distinct histologic features, HHV-8 positive, some are associated with AIDS (see AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma).
- Bacillary angiomatosis – Resembles lobular capillary hemangioma, patient has HIV.
- Vasculitis
- Pigmented purpuric dermatitis (see capillaritis)
- Reactive angioendotheliomatosis (see angioendotheliomatosis)
- Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
- Lymphomatoid papulosis
- Eruptive fibrohistiocytic proliferations – Dermatofibromas, multiple histiocytomas.
- Eruptive leiomyomas (see leiomyoma)
- Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma
- Drug eruption (see drug-induced nonpalpable purpura)
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia cutis
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Last Reviewed:11/12/2020
Last Updated:11/12/2020
Last Updated:11/12/2020