Degos disease: a case report and review of the literature

Malignant atrophic papulosis treated with eculizumab and hirudin: a fatal case report and literature review

Background

Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP) is a rare obliterative vasculopathy whose etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown, and the treatment is still empirical. It can involve multiple systems, especially the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, and has a poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 20-year-old Chinese male appeared to have Widespread atrophic papules and plaques, intermittent abdominal pain, recurrent bowel perforation, and psoas abscess. The clinical diagnosis of MAP was supported by skin biopsy. He was then treated with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressants and started on eculizumab and hirudin after the first surgical interventions. Despite the aggressive immunosuppression, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, humanized monoclonal antibodies, and surgery therapy, he died five months after presentation.

Conclusions

MAP is an extremely rare obliterative vasculopathy manifesting as benign cutaneous involvement or potentially malignant systemic involvement. MAP patients who exhibit any abdominal symptoms should undergo laparoscopy and evaluation in time and start on eculizumab and treprostinil as soon as possible, as the combination of them is presently the most effective treatment option for gastrointestinal MAP and hopefully reduce mortality.

Malignant atrophic papulosis: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Malignant atrophic papulosis is a rare and potentially lethal thrombo-occlusive microvasculopathy characterized by cutaneous papules and gastrointestinal perforation. The precise pathogenesis of this disease remains obscure.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe the case of a 67-year-old male patient who initially presented with cutaneous aubergine papules and dull pain in the epigastrium. One week after symptom onset, he was admitted to the hospital for worsening abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy showed patchy necrosis and subserosal white plaque lesions on the small intestinal wall, along with multiple perforations. Histological examination of the small intestine showed extensive hyperemia, edema, necrosis with varying degrees of inflammatory reactions in the small bowel wall, small vasculitis with fibrinoid necrosis and intraluminal thrombosis in the mesothelium. Based on the mentioned evidence, a diagnosis of malignant atrophic papulosis was made. We also present the case of a 46-year-old man with known cutaneous manifestations, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. His physical examination showed positive rebound tenderness. A computed tomography scan revealed free intraperitoneal air. He required surgical intervention on admission and then developed an esophageal perforation. He ultimately died of a massive hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

In previously published cases of this disease, the cutaneous lesions initially appeared as small erythematous papules. Subsequently, the papules became porcelain-white atrophic depression lesions with a pink, telangiectatic peripheral rim. In one of the patients, the cutaneous lesions appeared as aubergine papules. The other patient developed multiple perforations in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to malignant atrophic papulosis affecting multiple organs, many authors speculated that it is not a specific entity. This case series serves as additional evidence for our hypothesis.

Degos disease with multiple intestinal perforations: A missed-opportunity case report and literature review

Introduction

Degos disease, also known as malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP), is a rare systemic obstructive vascular disease with unknown pathophysiology, which can affect multiple systems, especially gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Intestinal perforations with MAP is associated with high mortality rate and ambiguous treatment outcomes.

Case presentation

Here we report a missed-opportunity case of Degos disease characterized by generalized skin eruption and multiple intestinal perforations. Definite diagnosis of Degos disease was finally concluded after two exploratory laparotomy operations and skin biopsies. Due to the delayed diagnosis and treatment, the patient died after being discharged automatically in spite of application of aspirin and low-dose subcutaneous heparin. In view of such circumstances, we searched the Pubmed using “Degos [Title] OR Malignant Atrophic Papulosis [Title]” AND “perforation [Title] OR perforations [Title]” and make a detailed analysis of the result.

Conclusions

Degos disease is a rare systemic obstructive vascular disease with unknown pathologic mechanism and unavailable treatment methods. Diagnosis is usually based on the presence of pathognomonic skin lesions and tissue biopsy. Gastrointestinal involvement can cause serious and lethal conditions with high mortality. Currently, how to achieve a satisfying prognosis of MAP with intestinal perforations becomes the most urgent problem in front of medical staff.

Malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease)

Malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease) is a rare syndrome of multiple-system vascular diseases with unknown etiology. It can affect the skin, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Here, we report a 58-year-old woman with extensive porcelain-white atrophic papules. Based on the clinical manifestations, skin biopsy and colonoscopy, a diagnosis of malignant atrophic papulosis was confirmed.