Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in an adult with rheumatoid arthritis

This report describes a case of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma arising in an adult man during the course of rheumatoid arthritis treated with steroids and methotrexate. The vascular proliferation began in the terminal phase of the disease, which culminated in acute renal failure and death. We discuss the possible relationship between rheumatoid arthritis, its treatment, and the onset of vascular proliferation, as well as the role of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in aggravating the autoimmune disease and leading to its fatal outcome.