Malignant atrophic papulosis: response to antiplatelet therapy

A patient with malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos' disease) is studied. Platelet function studies showed abnormalities of increased adhesiveness and aggregation. Treatment with dipyridamole and aspirin correlated with reversal of these abnormalities and cessation of new lesion development. When treatment was stopped, platelet function abnormalities and new skin lesions developed within 2 months. With reinstitution of therapy, the patient developed no new lesions in the 5 months he was followed. This is the second report of platelet function abnormality and apparent successful treatment with antiplatelet therapy in a patient with Degos' disease.