Peripheral vascular disease as a mode of presentation of pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Two men presenting with premature peripheral vascular disease and minimal risk for atherosclerosis were found to have pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). Fluorescein angiography was found to be of potential value in the early recognition of angioid streaks and pseudoxanthoma elasticum. There was evidence of disruption of arterial elastic tissue which may contribute to atherogenesis in PXE. Management is presently limited largely to minimizing risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease.