Which vascular lesion is described as a non-neoplastic radial pulsating array of dilated arterioles under the skin?

Which vascular lesion is described as a non-neoplastic radial pulsating array of dilated arterioles under the skin?

• A. Hemangioma
• B. Nevus flammeus
• C. Spider telangiectasia
• D. Port-wine stain

Answer: (C)

Spider telangiectasia is a non-neoplastic vascular dilation where a central feeding arteriole gives rise to multiple small dilated vessels radiating outward, creating a spider‑like pattern just under the skin. This radial, pulsatile arrangement fits the description perfectly, and the lesion is not a true tumor. In contrast, a hemangioma is a true vascular tumor consisting of proliferating vessels and often presents as a raised, rapidly growing lesion that eventually involutes. Nevus flammeus, or port-wine stain, is a capillary malformation present at birth, typically flat and uniformly colored rather than radiating from a central point with pulsatile flow. Thus, the described non-neoplastic radial pulsating array points to spider telangiectasia.

Spider telangiectasia is a non-neoplastic vascular dilation where a central feeding arteriole gives rise to multiple small dilated vessels radiating outward, creating a spider‑like pattern just under the skin. This radial, pulsatile arrangement fits the description perfectly, and the lesion is not a true tumor.

In contrast, a hemangioma is a true vascular tumor consisting of proliferating vessels and often presents as a raised, rapidly growing lesion that eventually involutes. Nevus flammeus, or port-wine stain, is a capillary malformation present at birth, typically flat and uniformly colored rather than radiating from a central point with pulsatile flow. Thus, the described non-neoplastic radial pulsating array points to spider telangiectasia.