Acquired elastotic hemangioma-like changes and eccrine sweat duct squamous metaplasia in lichen simplex chronicus/prurigo nodularis-like lesions of the knee and elbow

[Translated article] Prurigiform Angiomatosis: A New Term for Describing the Prominent Dermal Angiomatoid Proliferation Underlying Epidermal Changes in Prurigo Nodularis/Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Vascular hyperplasia is a common finding in prurigo nodularis/lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). The term prurigiform angiomatosis was recently proposed to describe a histologic pattern characterized by prominent vascular hyperplasia in patients with LSC. The aim of this study was to identify cases of LSC with this pattern and analyze associations with clinical and pathologic features and disease course. We reviewed 54 cases of histologically confirmed LSC and detected findings consistent with prurigiform angiomatosis in 10 (18.5%). The patients (7 men, 3 women) had a mean age of 59.7 years. The lesions were pruritic and predominantly located on the extremities and trunk. The most notable histologic finding was vascular proliferation in the superficial dermis associated with a lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate. Recognition of prurigiform angiomatosis is important as it helps not only to distinguish LSC from other entities (mainly vascular tumors) but also to detect lesions that need to be surgically excised due to poor response to topical treatment.

Prurigiform Angiomatosis: A New Term for Describing the Prominent Dermal Angiomatoid Proliferation Underlying Epidermal Changes in Prurigo Nodularis/Lichen Simplex Chronicus

Vascular hyperplasia is a common finding in prurigo nodularis/lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). The term prurigiform angiomatosis was recently proposed to describe a histologic pattern characterized by prominent vascular hyperplasia in patients with LSC. The aim of this study was to identify cases of LSC with this pattern and analyze associations with clinical and pathologic features and disease course. We reviewed 54 cases of histologically confirmed LSC and detected findings consistent with prurigiform angiomatosis in 10 (18.5%). The patients (7 men, 3 women) had a mean age of 59.7 years. The lesions were pruritic and predominantly located on the extremities and trunk. The most notable histologic finding was vascular proliferation in the superficial dermis associated with a lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate. Recognition of prurigiform angiomatosis is important as it helps not only to distinguish LSC from other entities (mainly vascular tumors) but also to detect lesions that need to be surgically excised due to poor response to topical treatment.

Acquired Elastotic Hemangioma-like Change of the Vulva Associated With Lichen Sclerosus

Acquired elastotic hemangioma (AEH) is a rare variant of hemangioma that usually presents as an asymptomatic, solitary, slow-growing red plaque on a sun-exposed site of an adult. Ultraviolet radiation can contribute to the pathogenesis of this hemangioma. Lichen sclerosus (LS), a scarring disease, may present a prominent accumulation of elastic fibers in the reticular dermis reflecting a reparative process. Vulvar elastosis, a novel diagnostic entity with fibers similar to solar elastosis, is more common in women 45 yr and older and is related to aging and/or hormonal changes. We herein report for the first time a case of AEH-like change located in the vulva, a sun-protected area, associated with genital LS. An 81-yr-old woman presented with a painful vulvar lesion of 1-yr duration. Clinical examination revealed vulvar LS and 1 cm-flat, erythematous, well-defined plaque with increased consistency located on the left labium minus. Histopathology showed a non-neoplastic proliferation of WT1-positive, small vascular channels surrounded and intertwined by intense elastosis in the reticular dermis. Alpha-smooth muscle actin positive pericytes encircled the vascular channels. The lesion can be understood as a reparative process within an LS with the appearance of epidermal hyperplasia, proliferation of small vascular channels, and hyperplastic elastosis. There is a close link between epidermal hyperplasia and angiogenesis in the formation of this reparative lesion. Recognition of this lesion is crucial to avoid confusion with other significant processes especially Kaposi sarcoma and well-differentiated angiosarcoma.

Poikilodermatous plaque-like hemangioma: A benign vasoformative entity with reproducible histopathologic and clinical features

Poikilodermatous plaque-like hemangioma (PPLH) is a recently described benign vasoformative entity with only 16 cases reported to date. We present an additional case of a 90-year-old male who presented with a 2-year history of a relatively large, asymptomatic, atrophic plaque on his left buttock. The lesion was initially smaller and grew before stabilizing in size. The patient denied preceding trauma or injury at this site as well as the presence or history of any similar lesions elsewhere. Physical examination revealed a reniform atrophic pink plaque with peripheral hyperpigmentation and overlying cigarette paper wrinkling. Given this appearance, scar or post-inflammatory changes were favored clinically, but lack of preceding trauma raised clinical concerns for poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides. Given the location and appearance, a broad shave biopsy was performed to rule out mycosis fungoides. Histopathologic examination revealed an increased density of superficial endothelial-cell-lined vessels, telangiectasias with sludging and congestion of superficial dermal vessels and loss of elastic tissue fibers in the lesional area. These findings, in the context of the clinical history, were consistent with this newly described hemangioma. We present this case to increase awareness amongst dermatopathologists of the reproducible clinical and histopathologic findings of this new benign vasoformative entity.

Acquired Elastotic Hemangioma: A Case Report and Review of 49 Previously Reported Cases

In the past decades, there was a considerable advance in regard to recognition of morphologic findings and classification of several benign and malignant vascular proliferations. In 2002, attention was called by Requena et al to a new variant of cutaneous hemangioma named acquired elastotic hemangioma. In this article, a case of acquired elastotic hemangioma is reported with documentation of clinical, dermatoscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. A systematic review of the previously 49 reported cases is provided. The criteria for clinical and histopathological diagnosis are highlighted.

Prurigiform Angiomatosis: Reactive Angioproliferation in the Skin and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous benign angioproliferations can be diagnostically challenging and may mimic vascular tumors. Keratinocytes express vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). We studied the angiogenic factor expression pattern in cutaneous lesions with a distinctive pattern of remarkable dermal angiomatosis underlying prurigo-like epidermal changes.

METHODS

Cases were selected retrospectively from 2012 to 2018, and their VEGF staining pattern was compared with normal skin and other reactive skin conditions.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients, median age 76 years, mostly men (74%), presented with asymptomatic patches or plaques, most commonly located on the buttocks (n = 17) and/or intergluteal fold (n = 12), often eliciting concern for neoplasia (n = 19). Microscopically, all cases featured a prominent proliferation of dilated capillaries and postcapillary venules, underneath epidermal changes resembling prurigo or lichen simplex chronicus. In one-third, a subepidermal lymphocytic infiltrate was present. Immunostaining with VEGF was positive in the upper 4/5 of the epidermis overlying the angioproliferation, in contrast with nonlesional skin, where VEGF positivity was limited to the stratum granulosum. Receptor VEGFR-2 was expressed in the endothelia of neovessels.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose the term prurigiform angiomatosis for the morphological picture of prurigo/lichen simplex chronicus-like epidermal hyperplasia with prominent dermal angioproliferation. Mechanical injury and inflammation are the likely triggers of this reactive angiogenesis pattern, driven by epidermal VEGF expression.

Acquired Elastotic Hemangioma: Case Series and Comprehensive Literature Review

Background Acquired elastotic hemangioma is a benign vascular proliferation that typically presents as an asymptomatic red plaque on a sun-exposed site of an adult. Material and Methods The PubMed database was used to search the following words: acquired, angioma, arm, basal, carcinoma, cell, elastosis, elastotic, exposed, forearm, hemangioma, solar, sun, and vascular. The relevant papers and reference cited generated by the search were reviewed. The features from a case series of 11 patients with acquired elastotic hemangioma are presented. In addition, a comprehensive review of the characteristics of this unique hemangioma-not only in our 11 patients but also in the previously reported 34 individuals with this lesion-is provided. Results Acquired elastotic hemangioma, reported in 45 patients (24 women and 21 men), typically appeared as an asymptomatic solitary red plaque in sun-exposed areas-most commonly the forearm--of adults aged 50 years or older. The pathology shows a proliferation of vascular channels-surrounded and intertwined by intense solar elastosis--in the upper dermis, located parallel to the overlying epidermis, and separated from it by a zone of normal-appearing superficial papillary dermis. There was extensive solar elastosis surrounding and between the new blood vessels; some of the endothelial cells protrude (in a hob-nail pattern) into the vessel lumen. The clinical differential diagnosis includes basal cell carcinoma and the pathologic differential diagnosis includes other benign, malignant, and reactive vascular lesions. Ultraviolet radiation may contribute to the pathogenesis of this hemangioma since it occurs on sun-exposed sites. There was no recurrence of the lesion following either excision or observation. Conclusions The possibility of acquired elastotic hemangioma should be considered by clinicians when they encounter an older individual with a new red plaque on a sun-exposed site that clinically appears to be a superficial basal cell carcinoma.