Hi! I am reading my MRI report and it says I have a benign vertebral hemangioma. I am seeing the Spine Spec tomorrow. Does anyone else have any experience w/this?? The Radiologist didn't seem too excited about it in his report, but I'm pretty nervous.

Thanks for any input....

commonly in the spine, liver, brain, (and in my case on the foot).

I did have a patient who was having needle procedure on her neck and
the neuro did not know she had an hemangioma, and she hemorrhaged and
almost died. She has chronic pain now as a result.

So I do think you need to know it is there, and if you elect to have any
epidurals or other invasive procedures, the location of that hemangioma should
be made available to the doctor and considered.

Thank you mrsd~~ My Spine Spec was definitely a keeper. After going over me and my records w/a fine tooth comb, along w/doing further Xrays.... he told me I had severe disc disease w/bone on bone L-5/S1. I also have severe Osteoporosis (which I knew) and arthritis of the spine..

My bottom 2 discs are blown... But, the hemangioma is benign, of which I am so thankful for. I feel so much better and really appreciated a Dr taking so much time w/me.

Thanks for your help mrsd....

can't really help you here dm...i don't know much about spinal hemamgioma's...the "cosmetic" " birthmark" kind...i'm an expert. lil'monkey had one that almost killed her.


can be heavy bleeder..unless they have shrivled and don't have active tissue. inthe spine the dr's need to be aware...like mrsd said...they can be nicked and that is dangerous.

now if you had spondylolisthesis.....both mrsd and could help you lots.

OMG~ the little Yappy Monkey had one of those??? Poor lil thing.

Yes, I'm very glad mrsd mentioned the epidural precaution. Thanks to you too for responding... I was one scared chickadee....

** waving hands wildly - over here, over here **


I just had an MRI a few months ago that revealed this, among other things. And just last week, I had a SPECT scan but I don't know the results of it, yet.

Any help would be appreciated.

OMG Carolina~~ Where have you been? Are you saying that you have a vertebral hemangioma or spondyl????

if it's spondy...did they tell you what grade?

I have it in two locations in the lumbar region. One was rated a Grade 2 and the other a Grade 1. It also mentioned anterolisthesis. Are they one and the same? I don't remember the specific disks that are referenced but, additionally, four of the five lumbar disks are either herniated or bulging.

Any insight or commiserating would be appreciated. I just now saw your response. Thanks for answering.

Hey DM! I crossed the great divide about the same time as the others - I have just been on different threads than you.

Don't you worry, I have been reading the naughty and conniving posts of those who are jealous of your title and royalty. I've got your back! (Pun not intended!)

My tale of back woe:

* I have two herniated disks with stenosis in my cervical spine.
* I have one hernated disk in my thoracic spine.
* I have 2 herniated disks and two bulging disks in my lumbar spine.
* I have scoliosis.
* I have facet syndrome and nerve impingement in all of them except the throacic disk.
* I have severe arthritis throughout with osteophytes.
* Let's not leave out dessication throughout the entire spine and
* Degenerative disk disease; plus
* the spondy and anterolisthesis.

I have lost four inches of height.

I hurt.