Spinal Hemangioma – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 6 min read
Patient Tools

Read, save, and share this guide

Use these quick tools to make this medical article easier to read, print, save, or share with a family member.

Patient Mode

Understand this article easily

Switch between simple English and easy Bangla patient notes. This is for education and does not replace a doctor consultation.

Spinal Hemangiomas are the most common primary tumor of the spine. 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.[rx] According to one study, they have been identified...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Spinal Hemangiomas are the most common primary tumor of the spine. 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.[rx] According to one study, they have been identified in about 11% of patients at general autopsy.[rx] These lesions are usually an incidental finding often found on CT and MR...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Causes of Spinal Hemangioma in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Symptoms of Spinal Hemangioma in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Diagnosis of Spinal Hemangioma in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Treatment of Spinal Hemangioma in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.
Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

3

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Before reading

RX Patient Tools

Use these quick guides before reading the article, or return to them when you need help preparing questions for a doctor.

Start here Choose the right pathway for symptoms, reports, medicines, or urgent warning signs. Disease article roadmap Read this topic step by step: meaning, symptoms, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up. Treatment planner Prepare questions about treatment choices, benefits, risks, side effects, and follow-up. Family & caregiver guide Organize symptoms, reports, medicines, questions, and follow-up safely. Nutrition & diet guide Prepare food, hydration, supplement, and medicine-timing questions safely. Prevention guide Organize risk factors, protective habits, screening, and warning signs. Recovery guide Prepare a safe plan for activity, rehabilitation, warning signs, and follow-up.
Definition

Spinal Hemangiomas are the most common primary tumor of the spine. Usually benign, this ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।" data-rx-term="lesion" data-rx-definition="A lesion is an abnormal area of tissue such as a spot, wound, patch, lump, or ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।">lesion is of vascular origin and like hemangiomas in other parts of the body usually involves a proliferation of normal capillary and venous structures. According to one study, they have been identified in about 11% of patients at general autopsy. 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. A minority of these lesions can be associated with symptoms, primarily involving pain: Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="back pain" data-rx-definition="Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।">back pain and neurologic complaints with some estimates of 0.9% to 1.2% becoming symptomatic. Symptoms can involve severe pain: Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="back pain" data-rx-definition="Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।">back pain worsened by movement; however, mild to moderate pain can also be a presenting complaint. In cases of neurogenic pain, hemangiomas usually extend into the spinal canal or neural foramina.

Causes of Spinal Hemangioma

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.

Symptoms of Spinal Hemangioma

Symptoms of a spinal hemangioma include:

  • pain: Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="back pain" data-rx-definition="Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।">Back pain
  • Numbness
  • Weakness
  • Pain that radiates outward from your back
  • Neurologic symptoms due to compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots, or both, leading to weakness, numbness, balance trouble, or coordination problems. সহজ বাংলা: স্পাইনাল কর্ডের সমস্যা।" data-rx-term="myelopathy" data-rx-definition="Myelopathy means spinal cord dysfunction, often causing weakness, numbness, balance trouble, or coordination problems. সহজ বাংলা: স্পাইনাল কর্ডের সমস্যা।">myelopathy and/or pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. সহজ বাংলা: নার্ভ রুট চাপা/জ্বালায় ব্যথা বা অবশভাব।" data-rx-term="radiculopathy" data-rx-definition="Radiculopathy means nerve-root irritation or compression causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. সহজ বাংলা: নার্ভ রুট চাপা/জ্বালায় ব্যথা বা অবশভাব।">radiculopathy
  • Clinical worsening and growth during pregnancy is a well-known phenomenon. The main explanation is vena cava compression and re-routing of blood to the paravertebral, epidural, and azygous venous system.

Diagnosis of Spinal Hemangioma

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 a normal bone. Capillary angiomas involve thin-walled capillary vessels separated by a normal bone. There is usually a capsule surrounding the ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।" data-rx-term="lesion" data-rx-definition="A lesion is an abnormal area of tissue such as a spot, wound, patch, lump, or ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।">lesion with adjacent bone potentially exhibiting osteolysis.

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 pain: Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="back pain" data-rx-definition="Back pain means pain in the spine, muscles, discs, joints, or nerves of the back. সহজ বাংলা: পিঠ/কোমরের ব্যথা।">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 numbness, tingling, or weakness. সহজ বাংলা: নার্ভ রুট চাপা/জ্বালায় ব্যথা বা অবশভাব।" data-rx-term="radiculopathy" data-rx-definition="Radiculopathy means nerve-root irritation or compression causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. সহজ বাংলা: নার্ভ রুট চাপা/জ্বালায় ব্যথা বা অবশভাব।">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 fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।" data-rx-term="osteoporosis" data-rx-definition="Osteoporosis means weak, fragile bones with higher fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।">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

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 forwarding 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 numbness, tingling, or weakness. সহজ বাংলা: নার্ভ রুট চাপা/জ্বালায় ব্যথা বা অবশভাব।" data-rx-term="radiculopathy" data-rx-definition="Radiculopathy means nerve-root irritation or compression causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. সহজ বাংলা: নার্ভ রুট চাপা/জ্বালায় ব্যথা বা অবশভাব।">radiculopathy is important in the physical examination of the spine. Special maneuvers to assess 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 an 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 the 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 a soft-tissue extension.

Treatment of Spinal Hemangioma

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 the epidural extension. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has also been shown to be effective in pain relief. Transpedicular ethanol injection has been employed in the treatment of spinal hemangiomas; however, complications have been seen. Radiation therapy has also been used to treat painful lesions considering spinal hemangiomas are radiosensitive lesions.

References

Doctor visit helper

Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
  • Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
  • Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Orthopedic / spine specialist, physical medicine doctor, or qualified clinician
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Neurological examination for leg power, sensation, reflexes, and straight leg raise
  • X-ray only if injury, deformity, long-lasting pain, or doctor suspects bone problem
  • MRI discussion if severe nerve symptoms, weakness, bladder/bowel problem, or persistent symptoms
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
  • Is physiotherapy, posture correction, or activity modification needed?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Spinal Hemangioma – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area from the RX Article Professional Blocks panel.

More from this topic
  1. Combined Immunodeficiency with Childhood-Onset Kaposi Sarcoma

    DefinitionCombined immunodeficiency with childhood-onset Kaposi sarcoma is a very rare genetic immune system disease. In this disease, a gene called TNFRSF4 does not work properly. This...

    February 14, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  2. Collecting Duct Renal Cell Carcinoma

    DefinitionCollecting duct renal? cell carcinoma is a rare and very aggressive type of kidney cancer. It starts in the small tubes at the very end of...

    February 10, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  3. Collecting Duct Carcinoma of the Kidney

    DefinitionCollecting duct carcinoma of the kidney is a very rare and very aggressive type of kidney cancer. It starts in the last part of the kidney...

    February 10, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  4. Kidney Collecting Duct Carcinoma

    DefinitionKidney collecting duct carcinoma is a rare, very aggressive type of kidney cancer. It starts in the tiny tubes at the end of the kidney’s filtering...

    February 10, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  5. Carcinoma of the Collecting Duct of the Renal Tubule

    DefinitionCarcinoma of the collecting duct of the renal? tubule is a rare and very aggressive cancer that starts in the tiny tubes in the middle part...

    February 10, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  6. Bellini Carcinoma

    DefinitionBellini carcinoma is a very rare and very aggressive type of kidney cancer. It starts in the last part of the tiny tubes in the kidney...

    February 10, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  7. Collecting Duct Carcinoma

    DefinitionCollecting duct carcinoma is a rare and very aggressive type of kidney cancer. It starts in the tiny tubes at the end of the kidney’s filtering...

    February 10, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  8. Paediatric Kidney Clear Cell Sarcoma

    DefinitionPaediatric kidney clear cell sarcoma (often shortened to clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, CCSK) is a rare type of kidney cancer that happens mainly in...

    January 29, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  9. Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney (CCSK)

    DefinitionClear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is a rare type of kidney cancer that happens mostly in young children, usually under 5 years of age....

    January 29, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)
  10. Cystic-Multilocular Variant; Grawitz Tumor

    DefinitionCystic-multilocular variant; Grawitz tumor is a type of kidney cancer that forms many fluid-filled spaces (cysts) separated by thin walls inside the kidney. It belongs to...

    January 28, 2026 • Rx Cancer (A - Z)