Spider Angioma

A form of telangiectasias where a central arteriole feeds telangiectasias, and is seen in conditions of estrogen excess, such as pregnancy and liver disease. In liver disease, the spiders are most often seen in the face and chest areas (drained by the SVC), and is more commonly seen in alcoholic liver disease compared to other etiologies.

Gastroenterology

Patient 6

50-something year old woman with Laennec’s cirrhosis, admitted with nausea and vomiting. Found to have physical findings of cirrhosis, including spider angiomas and Terry’s nails.