What is the Difference Between Hematoma and Hemangioma

The key difference between hematoma and hemangioma is that hematoma is a bruise, which is a collection of blood under the skin, while hemangioma is a benign tumor consisting of extra blood vessels in the skin.

Hematoma and hemangioma are made up of vascular tissues. They are both normally benign conditions that need no treatment unless they cause any risk to the human body. Moreover, hematoma usually results from trauma, such as physical falls. On the other hand, hemangioma is congenital. It means they can be present from birth. Therefore, hemangioma is predominantly identified in children.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hematoma 
3. What is Hemangioma
4. Similarities – Hematoma and Hemangioma
5. Hematoma vs Hemangioma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Hematoma vs Hemangioma

What is Hematoma?

Hematoma is a bruise. It is the collection of blood under the skin. Different hematomas have different symptoms: subdural hematoma has headaches, neurological problems, confusion, and seizures, while epidural hematoma has back pain, weakness, and loss of bowel or bladder control. Subungual hematoma has nail pain, nail weakness, nail loss, and disfiguring nails and splenic, while hepatic or peritoneal hematoma has abdominal pain and flank pain. Hematoma is normally caused by injury or trauma (a car accident, a minor bump, a cough, or a physical fall) to blood vessels. Moreover, certain blood thinner medications may also cause hematoma, such as Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, Persantine (dipyridamole), or aspirin-containing products (Alka Seltzer).

Hematoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, red blood cell count, clotting studies (international normalized ratio (INR), partial thromboplastin time (PTT and a blood test measures how long it takes for blood clot to form), and imaging studies (CT scan and ultrasound). Furthermore, treatment options for hematoma include resting, applying ice, compression, and elevation (RICE method), and over-the-counter medications for pain relief, such as Tylenol or Advil.

What is Hemangioma?

Hemangioma is a benign tumor consisting of extra blood vessels in the skin. It is also defined as a bright red birthmark that shows up at birth or from the first or second week of life. Normally, hemangioma can look like a rubbery bump that is made up of extra blood vessels in the skin. Moreover, hemangioma can occur anywhere in the body. However, it is commonly present on the face, scalp, chest, or back. The symptoms of hemangioma may include one or more red marks on the face, chest, scalp, or back, red mark growing rapidly into a spongy, rubbery appearance bump that sticks out from the skin, slowly disappearing red mark, and skin that is discoloured or raised after red mark disappearing. Hemangiomas are caused by blood vessels that form properly. Anyhow, the direct cause is still not known.

Hemangioma is diagnosed through a visual examination and imaging tests such as ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for hemangioma include medications like beta blockers (oral propranolol or timolol gel), a steroid to shrink the blood vessels and reduce the appearance of hemangioma, and surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Hematoma and Hemangioma?

• Hematoma and hemangioma are haematological conditions.
• They are both made up of vascular tissues.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination.
• They are benign conditions that need no treatment unless they are causing any risk to the human body.
• The treatment options for these conditions usually involve prescribed over-the-counter medications.

What is the Difference Between Hematoma and Hemangioma?

Hematoma is a bruise and is the collection of blood under the skin, while hemangioma is a benign tumor consisting of extra blood vessels in the skin. Thus, this is the key difference between hematoma and hemangioma. Furthermore, the hematoma is caused by injury or trauma (a car accident, a minor bump, a cough, or a physical fall) to blood vessels or certain blood thinner medications. However, the direct cause of hemangioma is not known.

The below infographic presents the differences between hematoma and hemangioma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Hematoma vs Hemangioma

Hematoma and hemangioma are haematological conditions that are characterized by the presence of vascular tissues. Both hematoma and hemangioma are benign conditions. Hematoma is a bruise, which is a collection of blood under the skin. Hemangioma is a benign tumor consisting of extra blood vessels in the skin. So, this summarizes the difference between hematoma and hemangioma.

Reference:

1. Charles Patrick Davis. “What Is a Hematoma? Treatment, Symptoms & Pictures.” EMedicineHealth, EMedicineHealth.
2. “Hemangioma: Types, Causes & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hematoma development” By Whoisjohngalt – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Infantile hemangioma” By Gstk – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia