Nevus Araneus

(Spider Nevus; Spider Angioma; Vascular Spider)

By Denise M. Aaron, MD, New, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

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Benign Skin Tumors, Growths, and Vascular Lesions
Atypical Moles
Capillary Malformations
Cutaneous Cysts
Dermatofibromas
Infantile Hemangiomas
Keloids
Lipomas
Lymphatic Malformations
Moles
Nevus Araneus
Pyogenic Granulomas
Seborrheic Keratoses
Skin Tags
Vascular Lesions of the Skin

Nevus araneus is a bright red, faintly pulsatile vascular lesion consisting of a central arteriole with slender projections resembling spider legs.

These lesions are acquired. One lesion or small numbers of lesions unrelated to internal disease may occur in children or adults. Patients with cirrhosis develop many spider angiomas that may become quite prominent. Many women develop lesions during pregnancy or while taking oral contraceptives.

The lesions are asymptomatic and usually resolve spontaneously about 6 to 9 mo postpartum or after oral contraceptives are stopped. Lesions are not uncommon on the faces of children. Compression of the central vessel temporarily obliterates the lesion.

Diagnosis of nevus araneus is clinical.