Diffuse dermal angiomatosis associated with calciphylaxis in a patient with end-stage renal disease

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.

The Spectrum of Cutaneous Reactive Angiomatoses in End Stage Renal Failure

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous reactive angiomatoses encompass a spectrum of conditions driven by underlying occlusive vasculopathy. We present 2 cases of reactive angioproliferation in the context of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) manifesting as painful cutaneous ulceration. The first case demonstrates histologic features of diffuse dermal angiomatosis. The second case illustrates a nonspecific pattern of vascular proliferation which does not conform to any of the classically described subtypes, therefore reinforcing the concept of a spectrum of histopathologic changes in reactive angioproliferations. Diffuse dermal angiomatosis has been described in ESRF alone and in association with calciphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. Recognizing the patterns of reactive angioproliferation in the context of ESRF therefore has clinical relevance. Earlier identification may facilitate mitigation of risk factors and improve prognosis.

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.

Treatment of Calciphylaxis in CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Calciphylaxis is a life-threatening complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). To inform clinical practice, we performed a systematic review of case reports, case series, and cohort studies to synthesize the available treatment modalities and outcomes of calciphylaxis in patients with CKD.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for studies that examined the uses of sodium thiosulfate, surgical parathyroidectomy, calcimimetics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and bisphosphonates for calciphylaxis in patients with CKD, including end-stage renal disease. For cohort studies, the results were synthesized quantitatively by performing random-effects model meta-analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 147 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. There were 90 case reports (90 patients), 20 case series (423 patients), and 37 cohort studies (343 patients). In the pooled cohorts, case series, and case reports, 50.3% of patients received sodium thiosulfate, 28.7% underwent surgical parathyroidectomy, 25.3% received cinacalcet, 15.3% underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and 5.9% received bisphosphonates. For the subset of cohort studies, by meta-analysis, the pooled risk ratio for mortality was not significantly different among patients who received sodium thiosulfate (pooled risk ratio [RR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71-1.12), cinacalcet (pooled RR 1.04; 95% CI 0.75-1.42), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (pooled RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.71-1.12), and bisphosphonates (pooled RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.44-1.32), and those who underwent surgical parathyroidectomy (pooled RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.69-1.13).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review found no significant clinical benefit of the 5 most frequently used treatment modalities for calciphylaxis in patients with CKD. Randomized controlled trials are needed to test the efficacy of these therapies.

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.

Resolution of reactive angioendotheliomatosis in an arteriovenous fistula with innominate vein angioplasty

Introduction:

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF)-associated reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RAE) is a very rare entity (three previously reported cases in the literature) that can manifest as extremity wounds. RAE’s etiopathology is unknown.

Case description:

We report a case of severe limb-threatening upper extremity wound with pathology-proven RAE. This lesion was previously refractory to standard wound care. There was no evidence of limb ischemia or steal syndrome, previously deemed to be the underlying cause of AVF-associated RAE in other reports.

Conclusions:

Successful endovascular treatment of an ipsilateral innominate vein stenosis led to reduction of venous hypertension, resolution of associated arm edema, and subsequent wound healing. We therefore propose that venous engorgement and hypertension from central venous stenosis is the likely underlying cause for AVF-associated RAE. If this rare entity is encountered in the setting of AVF, there is utility in treating the wound as a sentinel lesion and venography should be conducted to rule out central venous pathology. Vascular intervention complements aggressive local wound management and biopsy is requisite for prompt diagnosis.

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.

Clinical Assessment of Warfarin Therapy in Patients with Maintenance Dialysis-Clinical Efficacy, Risks and Development of Calciphylaxis

Recent years, multiple studies regarding clinical efficacy and risks of Warfarin therapy in dialysis patients have been reported, and not a few reports conclude that clinical advantage of Warfarin is questionable in dialysis patients. Conversely, its hemorrhagic risk might be a little more serious in dialysis patients comparing to non-dialysis patients. Basically, it is assumed that long-term administration of Warfarin accelerates the development of vascular athelosclerosis because of the abolished anti-calcification effect of Gla-protein activation by decreased vitamin K activity. This assumption is recently confirmed by multiple reports, suggesting that the Warfarin administration might be worse harmful than ever expected in dialysis patients who are essentially considered to have higher risk of calcification comparing to non-dialysis patients. In addition, it is recently well considered that the Warfarin administration would be a risk factor to cause Warfarin skin necrosis or calciphylaxis, therapy resistant ulcerative skin lesions, which are considered to be highly related to the Warfarin-induced transient hypercoagulable state or acceleration of calcification. Therefore, it is considered that the indication of Warfarin administration to dialysis patients should be carefully assessed. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2017; 26: 83–90.)

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.