Diffuse dermal angiomatosis

Definition

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis is a rare condition in which purplish patches develop in the skin, most often on the legs, though they may occur in other areas of the body. Sometimes these purple patches can become open wounds in the skin (ulcerations), which may be painful.

Cause

• The exact cause of diffuse dermal angiomatosis is unknown, but it is thought to result from a lack of blood flow to the skin.
• It has been suggested that the lack of blood flow may be due to blocked blood vessels (such as in atherosclerosis) or large amounts of fatty tissue under the skin.

Signs and symptoms

• This is a condition in which purplish patches develop in the skin, most often on the legs, though they may occur in other areas of the body.
• Sometimes these purple patches can become open wounds in the skin (ulcerations), which may be painful.
• This condition occurs when cells that line blood vessels grow into the surrounding skin tissue and rapidly increase in number.

Treatment

• As this condition is quite rare, there are no established guidelines for the treatment of diffuse dermal angiomatosis of the breast.
• Several treatments have been tried and seemed to be effective.
• The goal of these treatments was to restore normal blood flow to the affected skin.
• One woman was found to have a blocked blood vessel near the location of the diffuse dermal angiomatosis.
• Surgery was performed to open this blood vessel, and the diffuse dermal angiomatosis healed following this surgery.
• Two patients with this condition improved after treatment with the medication isotretinoin; another patient improved after taking corticosteroid medication.
• One patient underwent a breast reduction surgery, and her diffuse dermal angiomatosis did not return following surgery.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Diffuse dermal angiomatosis

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis is a rare disease.

Resources

Frequently asked questions

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