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Absence of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Around the Affected Vessels of Angioma Serpiginosum

Case Report

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Abstract

Angioma serpiginosum is a disorder of dilated superficial dermal capillaries. The disease is considered by some authors to be a consequence of increasing levels of estrogens. We present a case of angioma serpiginosum in a 46-year-old White woman. The lesions consisting of red-purple puncta were grouped as vaguely annular and angular patches with serpiginous borders, located on the right side of the neck, the right side of the abdomen, and on the left arm. Histopathologic examination revealed clusters of dilated capillaries in the dermal papillae, without endothelial proliferation. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain-positive deposits were noted around the affected blood vessels. However, immunohistochemical analysis revealed the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors within the involved blood vessels. Hormonal assays were also normal. Our observations suggest that a hormonal stimulus probably plays no role in the pathogenesis of angioma serpiginosum. The significance of PAS-positive deposits as a diagnostic marker for angioma serpiginosum needs further confirmation.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this case report. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of the report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey

    Emel Erkek, Önder Bozdogan, Cengiz Akarsu, Pinar Atasoy & Mukadder Koçak

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  1. Emel Erkek
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  2. Önder Bozdogan
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  3. Cengiz Akarsu
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  4. Pinar Atasoy
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  5. Mukadder Koçak
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Correspondence to Emel Erkek.

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Erkek, E., Bozdogan, Ö., Akarsu, C. et al. Absence of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Around the Affected Vessels of Angioma Serpiginosum. Am J Clin Dermatol 7, 383–386 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200607060-00007

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200607060-00007

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