We describe a case of compressive vertebral angioma characterized by unexpected onset and the rapid development of signs of spinal medulla compression not preceded by painful symptomatology.
Haemangioma is the most common benign tumour in the spine. In the vast majority of cases it is a small, clearly located and circumscribed vascular dysplasia which is stable over time, asymptomatic and is detected by chance via radiological control.
In rare cases vertebral angioma with tumoral behaviour can have an extensive effect on the vertebral body and arch and invade the spinal canal causing myeloradicular compression.
This type of angioma, defined as compressive, is a developing lesion which necessitates full radiological assessment and decompression therapy, to be carried out in certain cases and in our case, as part of an emergency regimen.
Between the two extreme forms of angioma, compressive and asymptomatic, there are the painful or symptomatic forms classified as both compressive in the transitional phase and as lesions of intermediate aggressiveness which are not destined to develop further.
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