Microshunt histology in telangiectasias

Abstract Telangiectatic spiders occur in 10–14% of the population. Recently, the most widely accepted theory of their origin is perforator incompetence and venous hypertension. In spite of that, various authors have suggested that arteriovenous (AV) shunts may contribute their etiology. Based on this theory, continuous wave, Doppler-drived biopsies were taken for histological examination. A total of 132 telangiectatic subjects were examined and in 91 cases, pulsatile sound of a tiny artery was detected over the spider. In 18 of the positive cases, a 2.5 × 1.5 cm specimen was excised for histology. In 16 of them, AV microshunt could be proved. According to this result it may be that AV microshunts have a role in the etiology and complication of sclerotherapy of some telangiectatic spiders.