The Cutaneous Arterial Spider

Respiration and Circulation in Patients with Portal Cirrhosis of the Liver

“…These changes in the hemodynamic pattern are clinically discernible by the increased pulse pressure,33 flushed palms, and capillary pulsationS.8' 34' 35 The mechanism responsible for the reduction in peripheral resistance is unknown. It has been postulated that either increased production or diminished inactivation of vasoactive substances is involved.…”

Precisión diagnóstica de las arañas vasculares para detectar enfermedad hepática en alcohólicos

“…From early comprehensive descriptions 3 and commonly used textbooks 5,7 , spiders have been most frequently associated with cirrhosis, especially of alcoholic origin. However, interest in the significance of spiders in the alcoholic patient has been limited.…”

“…Outward and visible signs of internal disease have been fundamental to the art and science of medicine from ancient times 2,3 . Liver biopsy, the gold standard for the diagnosis of liver disease in alcoholism, is an invasive procedure.…”

“…Spider naevi in alcoholics may be an example of this. Cutaneous spider naevi, vascular spiders, arterial spiders or spider angiomata ("spiders") are telangiectases consisting of a large arteriole with numerous radiating small vessels giving the impression of the legs of a spider 3 . For unknown reasons, spiders are found in the region drained by the superior vena cava, i.e.…”

“…They may appear in large numbers during pregnancy and usually disappear after parturition, although some persist. They may also be seen in patients treated with estrogen and in women taking oral contraceptives [3][4][5] .…”