Estrogen and progesterone receptors: their role in postsclerotherapy angiogenesis telangiectatic matting (TM)

Postsclerotherapy neoangiogenesis telangiectatic matting (TM) occurs in up to 24% of individuals treated by sclerotherapy. Although the etiology is unknown, obstructive flow factors, angiogenic factors, estrogen, inflammatory, and endogenous factors have all been postulated to play a role in its pathogenesis.

The aim of the study was to ascertain the presence or absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in postsclerotherapy TM lesions and thus substantiate their possible role in the pathogenesis of TM.

Ten women, median age 37.7 years, were included in the study population who developed TM following a single sclerotherapy treatment session employing Sotradecol 0.25% for class I-II telangiectasia/venulectasia. Four of 10 patients had a history of previous hormonal therapy or pregnancy in the previous 12 months prior to entering into the study. Three millimeter punch biopsies were taken at 12 weeks posttreatment and assayed for estrogen and progesterone receptors by the ERICA and PRICA (estrogen/progesterone immune cytochemical assay) techniques.

Zero of 10 patients were positive for estrogen/progesterone receptors as assayed by the ERICA/PRICA technique in biopsied sites of postsclerotherapy TM.

Although estrogen and progesterone may play an indirect role in the development of postsclerotherapy TM via vasodilatory or secondary angiogenic or cytokine release mechanisms, they do not appear to play a primary role in promoting postsclerotherapy neoangiogenesis as demonstrated in this study.