Diffuse Dermal Angiomatosis Associated With Calciphylaxis

The diagnostic complexities of reactive angioendotheliomatosis

The presented letter discusses the diagnostic challenges posed by reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RAE) due to its similarities to other conditions. The authors delve into four cases of RAE, highlighting diverse clinical presentations and emphasizing the importance of accurate differentiation of this condition. This is crucial in aiding early diagnosis and optimizing outcomes for patients with RAE.

Calciphylaxis: Part I. Diagnosis and pathology

Calciphylaxis is an uncommon but devastating disorder characterized by vascular calcification and subsequent cutaneous tissue necrosis. This results in exquisitely painful and slow healing wounds that portend exceptionally high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of this condition can be complicated because there are no conclusive serologic, radiographic or visual signs that this disease is manifesting. The differential of tissue necrosis is broad, and identifying calciphylaxis requires an adroit understanding of the risk factors and physical signs that should raise suspicion of this condition. Reviews on this subject are uncommon and lack directed commentary from disease experts on the best diagnostic approach for patients suffering from this disease. The goal of this article is to update practicing dermatologists on the current standard of care for calciphylaxis.

Cutaneous reactive angiomatosis associated with intravascular cryoprotein deposition as the presenting finding in a patient with underlying lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature

Cutaneous reactive angiomatosis, a group of disorders defined by benign vascular proliferation, is associated with a number of systemic processes, including intravascular occlusion by cryoproteins. We report a case of a 64-year-old female patient who presented with a 1-year history of nontender petechiae of the bilateral arms and lower legs. Dermoscopic evaluation showed increased vascularity with a globular pattern. Over a period of months, her findings progressed to erythematous to violaceous plaques with admixed hypopigmented stellate scarring of the bilateral lower extremities, forearms, and lateral neck. Biopsy showed increased thin-walled, small dermal blood vessels with focal inter-anastamosis. Some vessels were occluded by eosinophilic globules suspicious for cryoprotein. Subsequent laboratory studies confirmed a diagnosis of type 1 cryoglobulinemia, prompting a bone marrow biopsy that revealed lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Herein, we report the fourth case of angiomatosis secondary to intravascular cryoproteins as the initial presentation of an underlying hematologic malignancy. We also present a review of the literature and emphasize the need for thorough initial workup and close and prolonged clinical monitoring for underlying systemic disease in these patients.

Clinicopathologic Features and Calcium Deposition Patterns in Calciphylaxis: Comparison With Gangrene, Peripheral Artery Disease, Chronic Stasis, and Thrombotic Vasculopathy

Diagnosis of calciphylaxis is crucial, yet its distinction from other vascular diseases can be challenging. Although vascular calcification and thrombosis are hallmarks of calciphylaxis, the incidence and patterns of these features in other vascular diseases have not been well characterized. The specificity of fine calcium deposits in vessel walls (identifiable on von Kossa [VK] stain only) and other extravascular calcifications is not entirely clear. We retrospectively examined the clinicopathologic features in calciphylaxis (n=27), gangrene and viable skin at amputation margin (n=20 each), chronic stasis (n=22), and thrombotic vasculopathy (n=19) to identify useful discriminators. Calcification of subcutaneous small vessels appreciable on hematoxylin and eosin stain was relatively specific for calciphylaxis, although sensitivity was low (56%). VK detected fine calcium deposits in vessel walls not appreciable on hematoxylin and eosin, however, specificity was limited by frequent finding of similar deposits in peripheral artery disease. Combining calcium deposits detected by VK and thrombosis of subcutaneous small vessels resulted in optimal sensitivity (85%) and specificity (88%) for calciphylaxis. Similar observations applied to medium-sized vessel calcification. Calcification of eccrine gland basement membranes, elastic fibers, and perineurium did not effectively distinguish calciphylaxis from other groups. Diffuse dermal angiomatosis was exclusively found in calciphylaxis in this study. In conclusion, VK is useful in enhancing the detection of vascular calcification and avoiding the false-negative diagnosis, but this finding requires concomitant subcutaneous small vessel thrombosis to support a diagnosis of calciphylaxis. Diffuse dermal angiomatosis should increase suspicion for underlying calciphylaxis and prompt deeper sampling in the appropriate clinical setting.

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis of the breast

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis of the breast can be a painful, irritating, and persistent inflammatory condition. It tends to present in middle age and is associated with a number of risk factors, mainly relating to tissue hypoxia. There are no standard treatment guidelines, and current treatment focuses on mitigating tissue hypoxia by addressing atherosclerosis through lifestyle changes and medical and/or surgical intervention. Herein, we present a case of diffuse dermal angiomatosis of the breast, describing the condition and current treatment approaches and the likelihood that this diagnosis is more common than previously believed.

Histopathology of Calciphylaxis: Cohort Study With Clinical Correlations

Calciphylaxis is a rare, painful, and life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Although the etiology of calciphylaxis is not well understood, it has been proposed that calcium deposition within and around subcutaneous vessels restricts blood flow chronically, thereby predisposing the patient to acute pannicular and dermal thrombosis. Given increasing recognition of the role of hypercoagulability in calciphylaxis, this retrospective cohort study sought to evaluate the presence of thromboses and dermal angioplasia in calciphylaxis. Moreover, we aimed to validate previous observations about the histopathology of calciphylaxis compared with skin biopsies from patients with end-stage renal disease but without calciphylaxis. After a meticulous clinical chart review, we assessed the corresponding skin biopsies for the presence of vessel calcification, thromboses, and dermal angioplasia in skin biopsies from patients with calciphylaxis (n = 57) and compared with those from patients with end-stage renal disease but without calciphylaxis (n = 26). Histopathologic findings were correlated with clinical features such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or associated malignancy. Our results validated a prior observation that calciphylaxis was significantly more likely to show calcification of dermal vessels and diffuse dermal thrombi. This study reports the frequent finding of dermal angioplasia, a potential marker of chronic low-grade ischemia, as another frequent microscopic finding in calciphylaxis. Among cases of calciphylaxis, histopathologic changes in patients with chronic kidney disease were indistinguishable from those in patients without chronic kidney disease, thereby implying a final common pathogenic pathway in both uremic and nonuremic calciphylaxis. In future, larger, prospective studies may be useful in validating these findings.

Diffuse Dermal Angiomatosis of the Breast: A Distinct Entity in the Spectrum of Cutaneous Reactive Angiomatoses - Clinicopathologic Study of Two Cases and Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis (DDA) is a rare reactive angioproliferation in the skin and considered to be a subtype in the group of cutaneous reactive angiomatoses. DDA is clinically characterized by livedoid patches and plaques with tender ulceration. Its histologic features are a reactive diffuse proliferation of bland endothelial cells and pericytes within the dermis, forming small capillary vessels. Previously described cases of DDA most commonly involved the limbs and were associated with a wide spectrum of predisposing comorbidities, especially advanced atherosclerotic vascular disease and arteriovenous fistula. However, several cases of DDA of the breast (DDAB) have been reported in recent years. In this study we present 2 additional patients with DDAB and review all 36 cases of DDAB published in the literature. We describe the clinical and histopathologic characteristics, hypothesized pathogenetic mechanisms, and predisposing conditions of this rare skin disorder and discuss treatment options. The breast is a more commonly involved site of DDA than previously believed. DDAB typically occurs in middle-aged women and is associated with macromastia, overweight or obesity, and probably smoking. Predisposing comorbid conditions differ from those of DDA involving other parts of the body, making DDAB a unique clinicopathologic entity in the spectrum of cutaneous reactive angiomatoses. Currently there is no consensus on the best therapeutic approach. Isotretinoin and other medical therapies have been used with limited success. Breast reduction surgery appears to be a viable treatment option for DDAB in women with macromastia and might provide definitive healing.

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis of the breast: a series of 22 cases from a single institution

BACKGROUND

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis (DDA) is a rare cutaneous disorder that can affect the breast. A total of nine cases of breast involvement have been described in the literature, but there is currently no consensus in the best therapeutic approach. The objective of this study was to examine patient outcomes with such therapies in women diagnosed with DDA of the breast.

METHODS

Consecutive cases of DDA of the breast were retrospectively reviewed including patient demographic variables, diagnostic criteria and type of therapies. A successful outcome was defined as complete healing of chronic open breast wounds and absence of disease recurrence after cessation of therapy.

RESULTS

Twenty-two women (mean age, 48.4 years) diagnosed with DDA of the breast were identified between 2004 and 2012. The diagnosis was confirmed with skin biopsy in 12 patients and clinical diagnosis in the remaining ten patients. The majority of patients were obese [68.2% (15/22), average body mass index (BMI), 36.9 kg/m(2)] and at the time of diagnosis, 27.3% of patients were active smokers (6/22). Only two patients (9.1%) received isotretinoin, neither had full recovery and both patients showed recurrence when taken off of therapy. Other medical therapies showed less to no improvement. Two patients underwent successful surgical treatment. One patient had a successful outcome following breast reduction, although her postoperative course was complicated with delayed wound healing. The other patient presented with recurrence of DDA following breast reduction, and was successfully managed with bilateral simple mastectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that DDA of the breast is associated with macromastia, obesity and tobacco use. Isotretinoin therapy is published as having favorable outcomes to other therapies, but in this series only appears to reduce symptoms rather than eradicate DDA. Our findings indicate that other medical therapies have been attempted with limited success. Surgical management of DDA of the breast may provide definitive treatment.

Calciphylaxis and the persistence of medical misinformation in the era of Google

OBJECTIVES

We illustrate the important and troubling issue of persistent misinformation and false claims in the medical literature using a frequently cited case inaccurately believed by many to be the first case of calciphylaxis.

METHODS

We identified a recurring error in the medical literature in the form of numerous citations of a study from the 1890s of a 6-month-old child with idiopathic infantile arterial calcification that is purported to be the first description of a case of calciphylaxis. We performed searches to determine the frequency of this error. Google Scholar and PubMed were searched for references citing the Bryant and White article. Accuracy of the citations was determined.

RESULTS

A Google Scholar search identified 33 references that incorrectly cite the Bryant and White article as the first description of a case of calciphylaxis. Of the 100 most recent PubMed publications on calciphylaxis, we identified five studies that incorrectly attribute the Bryant and White article as the first description of calciphylaxis, which accounts for approximately 5% of the contemporary literature on this topic.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical misinformation such as this is frequently perpetuated. We propose that computational resources could be better used to flag erroneous and contradicted claims to update and correct the literature.

Diffuse Dermal Angiomatosis: A Clue to the Diagnosis of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

Diffuse dermal angiomatosis (DDA) is a benign, acquired, reactive vascular proliferation. DDA is clinically characterized by painful purpuric plaque with central ulceration. The histopathologic hallmark is diffuse proliferation of endothelial cells that are arranged interstitially between collagen bundles of the reticular dermis. DDA has been reported in association with peripheral atherosclerotic disease, arteriovenous fistula and heavy smoking. We report the case of a 49-year-old Asian male with DDA who presented with a painful stellate-shaped purpuric patch on the right thigh. Histopathologic examination showed proliferation of CD34-positive spindle cells in the dermis. Our patient underwent vascular bypass surgery along with tight control of cardiovascular risk factors, which yielded successful results.

[Cutaneous calciphylaxis]

Calciphylaxis represents a dermatological emergency with a mortality of up to 80%. The disease is characterized by a triad of arteriolar medial calcification, thrombotic cutaneous ischemia and necrotic ulcerations. Recently several mechanisms of vascular calcification have been identified. This may led to preventive measures in the future. Early diagnosis is important to avoid complications such as sepsis. The dermatologist plays an important role in early diagnosis based on the recognition of clinical presentation and histopathology. Patients with end-stage renal disease are most commonly affected by calciphylaxis. The most frequent non-uremic predisposing conditions are primary hyperparathyroidism, malignancies, alcohol-induced liver disease, and autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Medical treatment aims to normalize mineral metabolism to reduce the serum concentration of sodium phosphate and thus to prevent precipitation and calcification. Newer compounds are bisphosphonates, non-sodium/non-aluminium phosphate binders, cinacalcet, paricalcitrol, and sodium thiosulfate. Among the surgical procedures parathyroidectomy did not result in a significant survival benefit. An aggressive surgical debridement of necrotic ulcerations, on the other hand, improved survival. Early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary treatment approach including re-vascularization by the vascular surgeon, repeated surgical debridement and split skin transplantation support wound healing and insure limb conservation.

Calciphylaxis: a review

Human calciphylaxis reflects a form of severe tissue compromise attributable to a unique microangiopathy that combines features of vascular thrombotic occlusion with endoluminal calcification. While most frequently described in patients with renal failure, it is seen in other settings, such as multiple myeloma; polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome; cirrhosis; and rheumatoid arthritis. Although most commonly involving the skin, calciphylaxis can affect other organs including the heart and gastrointestinal tract, in which cases it falls under the appellation of systemic calciphylaxis. There are cases in which the main pathology is one of endovascular thrombosis of the vessels of the fat without discernible calcification or one manifesting a pseudoangiosarcomatous pattern, hence adding to the histomorphologic spectrum of calciphylaxis. A variety of factors contribute to this severe occlusive microangiopathy, including an underlying procoagulant state and ectopic neo-osteogenesis of the microvasculature through varied mechanisms, including increased osteopontin production by vascular smooth muscle or reduced synthesis of fetuin and GLA matrix protein, important inhibitors of ectopic neo-osteogenesis. Certain factors adversely affect outcome, including truncal and genital involvement and systemic forms of calciphylaxis. With a better understanding of its pathophysiology, more-effective therapies, such as sodium thiosulfate and biphosphanates to reduce reactive oxygen species and receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ-mediated nuclear factor κβ activity, respectively, are being developed.