Idiopathic telangiectasias are fine, dilated intracutaneous veins that are not clinically significant but may be extensive and unsightly.
Telangiectasias are small, dilated blood vessels; they are most often idiopathic.
Telangiectasias are small, dilated blood vessels; they are most often idiopathic.
Photo provided by Thomas Habif, MD.
Although telangiectasias are usually asymptomatic, many people consider small telangiectasias cosmetically unacceptable, especially in visible areas such as the face.
Although telangiectasias are usually asymptomatic, many people consider small telangiectasias cosmetically unacceptable
© Springer Science+Business Media
Telangiectasias are small, dilated blood vessels; they are most often idiopathic.
Telangiectasias are small, dilated blood vessels; they are most often idiopathic.
Photo provided by Thomas Habif, MD.
Although telangiectasias are usually asymptomatic, many people consider small telangiectasias cosmetically unacceptable, especially in visible areas such as the face.
Although telangiectasias are usually asymptomatic, many people consider small telangiectasias cosmetically unacceptable
© Springer Science+Business Media
Telangiectasias (spider veins) are usually asymptomatic. However, some patients report a burning sensation or pain, and many people consider even small telangiectasias cosmetically unacceptable, especially in visible areas such as the face.
Diagnosis is clinical.
Multiple superficial telangiectasias can also be a feature of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a genetic disorder that also involves visceral and cerebral vascular malformations.
Treatment of Idiopathic Telangiectasias
Sclerotherapy
Laser treatment
Telangiectasias can usually be eliminated by sclerotherapy, intracapillary injections of sodium tetradecyl sulfate or polidocanol (Telangiectasias can usually be eliminated by sclerotherapy, intracapillary injections of sodium tetradecyl sulfate or polidocanol (1, 2). Hypertonic saline is sometimes used but causes fairly severe, temporary, localized pain; therefore, large areas of telangiectasias may require several treatments. Pigmentation may develop but usually subsides, often completely. Skin ulceration may result if the injection is extravascular or too large.
Laser treatment is effective, but large areas require several treatments (1, 2). Small telangiectasias may persist or recur after initial treatment.
Treatment references
1. Gloviczki P, Lawrence PF, Wasan SM, et al. The 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, and American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Part II: Endorsed by the Society of Interventional Radiology and the Society for Vascular Medicine. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2024;12(1):101670. doi:10.1016/j.jvsv.2023.08.011
2. Nakano LC, Cacione DG, Baptista-Silva JC, Flumignan RL. Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;10(10):CD012723. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012723.pub2
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
