Vascular Lesions: Ecchymosis, Hemangioma, Hematoma, Petechiae, and Port-Wine Stains

What is an ecchymosis?

An ecchymosis is a flat, irregularly shaped vascular lesion of varying size that has no pulsation and does not blanch with pressure.

What does an ecchymosis look like in light skin?

In light skin, an ecchymosis begins as a bluish-purple mark and changes to a greenish-yellow color as it resolves.

What does an ecchymosis look like in brown skin?

In brown skin, an ecchymosis can vary in color from blue to deep purple.

What does an ecchymosis look like in black skin?

In black skin, an ecchymosis appears as a darkened area.

What causes an ecchymosis?

An ecchymosis is caused by the release of blood from superficial blood vessels into surrounding tissue. Causes include trauma, hemophilia, liver disease, and deficiencies of vitamin C or vitamin K.

Where is an ecchymosis commonly found?

An ecchymosis may occur anywhere on the body, usually at the site of trauma or pressure.

Does an ecchymosis blanch with pressure?

No. An ecchymosis does not blanch with pressure because blood has escaped from the vessels into surrounding tissue.

Does an ecchymosis pulsate?

No. An ecchymosis has no pulsation.

What type of lesion is an ecchymosis?

An ecchymosis is a flat vascular lesion that is irregularly shaped and can vary in size.

Ecchymosis

Flat, irregularly shaped lesion of varying size with no pulsation that does not blanch with pressure; caused by blood released from superficial vessels into surrounding tissue.

What is a hemangioma?

A hemangioma is a bright red, raised vascular lesion that is usually 2-10 cm in diameter, does not blanch with pressure, and is typically present at birth or develops within a few months of birth.

What does a hemangioma look like?

A hemangioma appears as a bright red, raised lesion approximately 2-10 cm in diameter.

Does a hemangioma blanch with pressure?

No. A hemangioma does not blanch with pressure.

When does a hemangioma typically appear?

A hemangioma is usually present at birth or develops within a few months after birth.

When does a hemangioma typically disappear?

A hemangioma typically disappears by about age 10.

What causes a hemangioma?

A hemangioma is caused by a cluster of immature capillaries.

Is the exact cause of a hemangioma known?

No. The exact cause is unknown, although it may have a hereditary component.

Where can a hemangioma occur?

A hemangioma may appear on any part of the body.

Hemangioma

A bright red, raised vascular lesion about 2-10 cm in diameter that does not blanch with pressure, usually appears at birth or within a few months of birth, and typically disappears by age 10. It is caused by a cluster of immature capillaries.

What is a hematoma?

A hematoma is a raised, irregularly shaped lesion caused by leakage of blood into the skin and subcutaneous tissue, producing a swelling similar to an ecchymosis.

How is a hematoma different from an ecchymosis?

A hematoma is similar to an ecchymosis but causes the skin to become elevated and appear swollen.

What causes a hematoma?

A hematoma is caused by leakage of blood into the skin and subcutaneous tissue, usually as a result of trauma or a surgical incision.

What happens to the skin with a hematoma?

The skin becomes elevated because blood leaks into the skin and subcutaneous tissue, creating a raised, swollen appearance.

What does a hematoma look like?

A hematoma appears as a raised, irregularly shaped lesion that resembles an ecchymosis but has visible or palpable swelling.

Where can a hematoma occur?

A hematoma may occur anywhere on the body, particularly at the site of trauma, pressure, or a surgical incision.

What is the relationship between trauma and hematoma formation?

Trauma can damage blood vessels, causing blood to leak into the skin and subcutaneous tissue and form a hematoma.

Can surgery cause a hematoma?

Yes. A hematoma can result from blood leaking into the skin and subcutaneous tissue following a surgical incision.

Hematoma

A raised, irregularly shaped lesion similar to an ecchymosis, but with elevation and swelling of the skin due to blood leaking into the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It may result from trauma, pressure, or a surgical incision.

What are petechiae?

Petechiae are flat, red or purple, rounded lesions that resemble small freckles and are approximately 1-3 mm in diameter.

What size are petechiae?

Petechiae are approximately 1-3 mm in diameter.

Do petechiae blanch with pressure?

No. Petechiae do not blanch with pressure because they are caused by bleeding into the tissues rather than increased blood flow within vessels.

Why can petechiae be difficult to detect in dark skin?

Petechiae may be difficult to detect in dark skin because their red or purple coloration can be less visually apparent against darker pigmentation.

What causes petechiae?

Petechiae are minute hemorrhages caused by fragile capillaries.

What conditions can cause petechiae?

Petechiae can result from septicemia, liver disease, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin K deficiency, or anticoagulant therapy.

How does septicemia contribute to petechiae?

Septicemia can damage or weaken capillaries, leading to minute hemorrhages that appear as petechiae.

How can liver disease contribute to petechiae?

Liver disease can contribute to bleeding abnormalities that increase the likelihood of small hemorrhages such as petechiae.

How can vitamin C deficiency contribute to petechiae?

Vitamin C deficiency can weaken blood vessels and make capillaries more fragile, contributing to petechiae.

How can vitamin K deficiency contribute to petechiae?

Vitamin K deficiency can impair normal blood clotting, increasing the risk of small hemorrhages such as petechiae.

How can anticoagulant therapy contribute to petechiae?

Anticoagulant therapy reduces blood clotting and can increase the risk of small capillary hemorrhages that appear as petechiae.

Where do petechiae most commonly appear?

Petechiae most commonly appear on dependent surfaces of the body, such as the back and buttocks.

Where else can petechiae occur?

Petechiae may also occur on the oral mucosa and conjunctivae.

What are the common locations of petechiae?

Common locations include dependent body surfaces such as the back and buttocks, as well as the oral mucosa and conjunctivae.

Petechiae

Flat, red or purple, rounded lesions approximately 1-3 mm in diameter that do not blanch with pressure and result from minute hemorrhages caused by fragile capillaries.

What is a port-wine stain?

A port-wine stain is a flat, irregularly shaped vascular lesion ranging from pale red to deep purple-red.

What color can a port-wine stain be?

A port-wine stain can range from pale red to deep purple-red.

What causes the color of a port-wine stain to deepen?

The color of a port-wine stain deepens with exertion, emotional responses, or exposure to extreme temperatures.

When is a port-wine stain usually present?

A port-wine stain is present at birth.

Does a port-wine stain typically fade?

No. A port-wine stain typically does not fade.

What is a port-wine stain composed of?

A port-wine stain is a large, flat mass of blood vessels located on the skin surface.

What is the likely cause of a port-wine stain?

A port-wine stain is likely caused by a genetic mutation.

Where do port-wine stains most commonly occur?

Port-wine stains most commonly appear on the face and head, although they may occur at other sites.

What is another name for a port-wine stain?

A port-wine stain is also called a nevus flammeus.

Port-Wine Stain

A flat, irregularly shaped vascular lesion ranging from pale red to deep purple-red that is present at birth and typically does not fade. It consists of a large, flat mass of blood vessels on the skin surface and is likely caused by a genetic mutation.

What is purpura?

Purpura are flat, reddish-blue, irregularly shaped, extensive patches of varying size caused by bleeding beneath the skin.

What does purpura look like?

Purpura appear as flat, reddish-blue, irregularly shaped patches that can vary in size.

What causes purpura?

Purpura can be caused by bleeding disorders, scurvy, or capillary fragility in older adults.

What is senile purpura?

Senile purpura is purpura associated with increased capillary fragility in older adults.

How does capillary fragility contribute to purpura?

Fragile capillaries can rupture more easily, allowing blood to leak into surrounding tissue and produce purpura.

How can bleeding disorders cause purpura?

Bleeding disorders can impair normal clotting or blood vessel function, allowing blood to leak into tissues and produce purpuric patches.

How can scurvy cause purpura?

Scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency, can weaken blood vessels and contribute to bleeding into the skin, producing purpura.

Where can purpura appear?

Purpura may appear anywhere on the body but are most noticeable on the legs, arms, and backs of the hands.

What is the difference between purpura and a port-wine stain?

Purpura are acquired flat reddish-blue patches caused by bleeding into tissues, whereas a port-wine stain is a congenital vascular lesion caused by an abnormal collection of blood vessels.

Purpura

Flat, reddish-blue, irregularly shaped extensive patches of varying size caused by bleeding into the skin. They may result from bleeding disorders, scurvy, or capillary fragility in older adults and are most noticeable on the legs, arms, and backs of the hands.

What is a spider angioma?

A spider angioma is a flat, bright red vascular lesion consisting of a central red dot with tiny blood vessels radiating outward.

What does a spider angioma look like?

It appears as a flat, bright red dot with tiny radiating blood vessels extending outward from the center.

What is the size range of a spider angioma?

A spider angioma can range from a pinpoint-sized lesion to approximately 2 cm in diameter.

Does a spider angioma blanch with pressure?

Yes. A spider angioma blanches with pressure.

What type of vascular lesion is a spider angioma?

A spider angioma is a type of telangiectasis, which is a dilation of small blood vessels.

What is telangiectasis?

Telangiectasis is the dilation of small blood vessels, producing visible superficial blood vessels on the skin.

What can cause spider angiomas?

Spider angiomas can be caused by elevated estrogen levels, pregnancy, estrogen therapy, vitamin B deficiency, or liver disease.

Can spider angiomas occur without an underlying disease?

Yes. A spider angioma may occur without being pathologic.

How can pregnancy contribute to spider angiomas?

Pregnancy can increase estrogen levels, which can contribute to the development of spider angiomas.

How can estrogen therapy contribute to spider angiomas?

Estrogen therapy can increase estrogen levels and contribute to the development of spider angiomas.

What vitamin deficiency can be associated with spider angiomas?

Vitamin B deficiency can be associated with spider angiomas.

What disease can be associated with spider angiomas?

Liver disease can be associated with spider angiomas.

Where do spider angiomas most commonly appear?

Spider angiomas most commonly appear on the upper half of the body.

What is another name for a spider angioma?

A spider angioma is also called a spider or star angioma.

Spider Angioma

A flat, bright red dot with tiny radiating blood vessels, ranging from a pinpoint to 2 cm. It blanches with pressure and is a type of telangiectasis (vascular dilation). It may be associated with elevated estrogen, pregnancy, estrogen therapy, vitamin B deficiency, liver disease, or may be nonpathologic.

What is a venous lake?

A venous lake is a soft, compressible, slightly elevated vascular lesion that is typically dark blue to purple.

What does a venous lake look like?

A venous lake appears as a slightly elevated lesion that is soft and compressible, with a color ranging from dark blue to purple.

What is the consistency of a venous lake?

A venous lake is soft and compressible.

What causes a venous lake?

A venous lake is caused by dilation of a venule.

What is a venule?

A venule is a small vein that collects blood from capillaries and carries it toward larger veins.

Who most commonly develops venous lakes?

Venous lakes most commonly occur in individuals over age 50 who have a history of sun exposure.

What is the relationship between sun exposure and venous lakes?

Venous lakes are commonly associated with chronic sun exposure, particularly in older adults.

Where do venous lakes most commonly occur?

Venous lakes most commonly occur on sun-exposed areas such as the lips, ears, neck, face, and posterior hand.

What color is a venous lake?

A venous lake is typically dark blue to purple.

What is the most common location of a venous lake?

The lips are a common location for venous lakes, although they can also occur on the ears, neck, face, and posterior hand.

Venous Lake

A soft, compressible, slightly elevated vascular lesion that is typically dark blue to purple. It results from venule dilation and most commonly occurs in people over age 50 with a history of sun exposure. It is usually found on sun-exposed areas such as the lips, ears, neck, face, and posterior hand.