Acroangiodermatitis: a study of ten cases

Acroangiodermatitis is a benign vesicular process encountered on the lower extremities that histologically resembles the superficial form of stasis dermatitis, but is clinically characterized by circumscribed violaceous, brown or dusky macules, papules, or plaques. Furthermore, unlike stasis dermatitis, acroangiodermatitis is usually associated with minimal epidermal changes and eosinophils in the inflammatory infiltrate in the dermis. Kaposi's sarcoma, pigmented purpura, vasculitis, and lichen planus are other conditions that should be considered when making a diagnosis of acroangiodermatitis.

Ten patients with acroangiodermatitis were referred to us by area physicians. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Pearl's (an iron stain), and an immunoperoxidase stain for Factor VIII were performed on routinely embedded paraffin sections.

All cases showed new vessel proliferation, perivascular inflammation of superficial and mid-dermis, consisting of lymphocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils, occasional plasma cells, extravasation of red blood cells, and hemosiderin pigment deposition. Dermal fibrosis was observed in all cases. None of the patients showed changes of vasculitis or Kaposi's sarcoma. Only one patient displayed significant epidermal changes of spongiosis and mild acanthosis.

Acroangiodermatitis is an uncommon entity with peculiar clinical and histologic features and should be confirmed by histologic tests.