Cavernous Hemangiomas in Gastrointestinal Tract
Summary
Cavernous haemangiomas of the gastrointestinal tract are uncommon benign vascular tumours characterised by dilated, blood-filled vascular channels lined by a single layer of endothelium. They can occur anywhere along the alimentary canal but are most frequently encountered in the small intestine, followed by the colon and rectum. Clinical presentation ranges from occult iron-deficiency anaemia and intermittent bleeding to acute haemorrhage, obstruction or intussusception. Radiological hallmarks include well-circumscribed, contrast-enhancing masses often containing phleboliths on CT or MRI. Endoscopic assessment may reveal bluish, submucosal bulges, although biopsy is seldom diagnostic owing to the vascular nature of the lesion. The pathogenesis is believed to involve developmental vascular malformations rather than true neoplasia, and associations with hereditary vascular syndromes have been reported. Complete surgical excision remains the mainstay of therapy, offering definitive cure with minimal recurrence risk. In recent years, advances in minimal-access surgery and endoscopic techniques have broadened therapeutic options, reducing morbidity and shortening hospital stay. A multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, radiologists, surgeons and pathologists is essential to optimise diagnosis, treatment planning and long-term follow-up.
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Cavernous Hemangiomas in Gastrointestinal Tract publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cavernous hemangiomas in gastrointestinal tract across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cavernous haemangioma: A benign vascular malformation composed of large, dilated blood vessels.
Capsule endoscopy: A diagnostic technique in which the patient swallows a miniature camera to image the small intestine.
Double-balloon enteroscopy: An endoscopic method that uses two balloons to pleat and advance the small bowel for direct visualisation and intervention.
Sclerotherapy: Injection of a chemical agent into abnormal vessels to induce fibrosis and lesion obliteration.
References
- Endoscopic injection of lauromacrogol foam sclerotherapy for rectal cavernous hemangioma: A case report. Medicine (2024).
- Transumbilical single-site laparoscopic treatment of small intestinal cavernous hemangioma in child: a case report. Frontiers in Oncology (2024).
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