Primary intraosseous hemangioma

Primary intraosseous hemangiomas are vascular hamartomas arising within bone, seen most frequently in the vertebrae or skull. Given their nonneoplastic nature, some authors prefer to refer to these lesions as vascular malformations rather than hemangiomas. These come in four histological varieties (see below) .

Epidemiology

Intraosseous hemangiomas are common, with vertebral hemangiomas seen in 10-15% of the adult population. They are more commonly encountered in men (M:F ratio of 2:1) and typically seen in the 4 to 5 decade of life.

Clinical presentation

These tumors are slow growing and are generally asymptomatic unless they exert mass effect on sensitive structures. Occasionally they may present as a swelling or a palpable mass, especially in the skull. When large and strategically located, they may present with a pathological fracture.

If they are high-flow lesions, shunt-related symptoms may also be present.

Pathology

Primary intraosseous hemangiomas are slow growing vascular malformations, usually located in the medullary cavity. They are classified as benign, but rarely may be locally aggressive.

Histological subtypes

Intraosseous hemangiomas come in four histologic types:

  • intraosseous cavernous hemangioma
  • intraosseous capillary hemangioma
  • intraosseous arteriovenous hemangioma (may represent congenital arteriovenous malformations)
  • intraosseous venous hemangioma
  • Histologically, intraosseous hemangiomas demonstrate hamartomatous vascular tissue within endothelium, but may also contain fat, smooth muscle, fibrous tissue, and thrombi.

    It should be noted that it is difficult to distinguish between the various histological types on imaging, except for those with a large arterial component.

    Location-specific subtypes

    Radiographic features

    Plain radiograph

    Plain radiographs are usually the first line of imaging and may be sufficient in vertebral or calvarial lesions. Findings include:

    • prominent trabecular pattern
    • sclerotic vertebra with vertical trabeculae: corduroy sign
    • lytic calvarial lesions with spoke-wheel appearance
    • irregular and lytic in long bones, with a honeycomb appearance
    CT

    Usually as an incidental finding, especially in the vertebrae.

    Better visualization of thickened vertical trabeculation: polka-dot appearance on axial images and corduroy sign on coronal and sagittal images.

    MRI

    Signal intensity is somewhat variable, depending largely on the amount of fat content.

    • T1
      • high is more common (fat rich)
      • intermediate to low signal intensity is seen in fat poor hemangiomas
    • T2: high
    • T1 C+ (Gd): enhancement is often present
    • STIR: intermediate or high

    MRI is the ideal modality to demonstrate mass-effect complications, such as neural impingement and extraosseous extension.

    Nuclear medicine bone scan

    Usually normal but may show increased or decreased uptake.

    Treatment and prognosis

    Treatment is reserved for symptomatic lesions, and a number of options exist:

    • radiation therapy
    • embolization to reduce intraoperative blood loss
    • surgical resection, especially if complicated by spinal cord compression
    • vertebroplasty
    • intralesional ethanol injection
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