ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Osler-Weber-Rendu Disease

What is osler-weber-rendu disease?

23 January 2026

This is a rare congenital vascular condition characterized by the appearance of multiple abnormal vascular structures called telangiectasias on the skin and mucous membranes (venular and capillary dilatations). These can cause internal vascular abnormalities in the brain, lungs, throat, larynx, gastrointestinal tract, liver, bladder, and vagina.

Telangiectasias usually manifest on the lips, tongue, and nasal lining, although they can also affect other areas of the body like the face and ears.

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, also known as Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), is passed from parents to children and is characterized by localized hemorrhages, especially in the nasal cavities, urinary tract, and intestinal tract. These hemorrhages can lead to severe anemia and the recurrent need for blood transfusions or iron infusions.

Although a cure for this condition does not yet exist, with timely diagnosis and treatment, it is possible to improve the patient’s quality of life and achieve a life expectancy similar to that of the general population.

Signs and symptoms Osler-Weber-Rendu Disease

  • Iron-deficiency anemia.
  • Convulsive episodes (seizures).
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Headache (migraine).
  • Recurrent nosebleeds.
  • Tiny red spots on the face, lips, tongue, fingertips, and inside the mouth.

Diagnosis and treatment Osler-Weber-Rendu Disease

The doctor will analyze your symptoms and clinical history, then perform a physical examination and request imaging studies to rule out other conditions and corroborate the diagnosis, including:

  • Ultrasound.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan.
  • A special echocardiogram called a bubble study.
  • Genetic testing.

The treatment to follow will depend on the severity and the affected organ, but it generally includes:

  • Medications to help reduce hemorrhages, such as:
    • Estrogen-containing medications.
    • Medications to block the growth of blood vessels (anti-angiogenic).
    • Medications that slow the breakdown of blood clots (anti-fibrinolytic).
  • Surgical procedures and nasal treatments.
  • Intravenous iron replacement treatments.
  • Surgery to remove arteriovenous malformations in the liver and lungs.
  • Stereotactic radiosurgery.
  • Liver transplant.

In the Internal Medicine Department at Centro Médico ABC, we provide medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, including both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute cases, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Osler-Weber-Rendu Disease

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Sources:

  • asociacionhht.org
  • analesdepediatria.org
  • sapd.es
  • cun.es
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Duque EL, Castro GN, Larquin CJ, et al. Enfermedad de Rendu Osler Weber: presentación de un caso. AMC. 2016;20(6):735-743.
  • Macías HCP, Osorio VM, Lemus M. Síndrome de Osler Weber Rendu. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía. Anales de Radiología México. 2010;9(4):217-222.
  • Estrada-Martínez LE, López-Rodríguez WE, García-Ortega GN, et al. Dosis atípica en un paciente con síndrome de Osler-Weber-Rendu. Med Int Mex. 2018;34(4):649-657.

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