[sallyb]

Can anybody tell me what a "hemangioma" is? After 3 years, I

noticed this word on my MRI results!!! It says: The high T1 and

T2 structure located at C5 vertebral body present with a

hemangioma." When I look it up on the Inet, I read all about

sarcomas, etc. But, my docs did not mention anything like

that! Anybody know???

Thanks.....sally

[moose53]

Sally,

It's a cluster of blood vessels. I've got one, too, on my lower spine.

The doctor "says" it doesn't matter.

I've watched a lot of the shows on the different Discovery channels that show them being surgically removed from children's faces. There's one pediatric surgeon who specializes in that.

The concern that *I* have and my doctor didn't really answer me was: if you get an epidural that happens to hit that thing, will you bleed profusely?? I won't let them do an epidural without the fluoroscope.

According to what I saw on Discovery Health, you can bleed to death if you cut or injure one of them.

If I were you, I would make sure that any doctor that is going to do ANY invasive procedure in that area knows about the hemangioma and answers the question "How are you going to keep me safe??". I would NOT have an ESI in that area without a fluoroscope.

Good luck. Hugs.

Barb

[DaisyMae]

I also have a hemangioma on T9-it's a benign tumor that is full of blood vessels, I've read several different articles on these types of tumors, they can grow or then can stay the same throughout life and not bother anyone. If they do grow they can put pressure on the disk or spinal canal or nerves, most doctors won't operate on them unless it's absolutely necessary due to the risk of high bleeding.

DaisyMae

[sallyb]

Barb and Daisymae...thanks so much for your responses. And Barb thanks for the good advice. I will remember that.