Venous malformation associated with skin hyperelasticity and subcutaneous atrophy

Abstract

In syndromes that involve reduced quantities of elastin, the rigidity of vein walls may be increased, causing venous malformations, even in people who have mosaicism for these syndromes. There are no previous descriptions in the literature of collagen diseases presenting in specific, delimited areas. The patient described here presented with a lesion restricted to a well-defined area of the anteromedial thigh, in which elasticity was increased and vessels were tortuous, in the area of the lesion only, and with no other signs of collagen syndromes. A biopsy was conducted and the findings included changes to the normal arrangement of the elastic fibers and proliferation of blood vessels. The venous malformation was treated satisfactorily by embolization. Collagen diseases can cause cutaneous hyperextensibility, provoking flaccidity and a propensity to traumatisms. Connective tissue diseases restricted to well-delimited areas are rare, since this group of diseases usually has systemic involvement. Vascular malformations can be seen in many different collagen diseases, but with generalized rather than localized presentation. One possible explanation for the case described here is genetic mosaicism.

Keywords:
skin abnormalities; vascular diseases; vascular dermatopathies; vascular malformations; collagen diseases