A Case of Unilateral Nevoid Telangiectasia Associated With Acanthosis Nigricans / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

We report a case of unilateral nevoid telangiectasia associated with acanthosis nigricans in a 20-year old male patient. Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia may be congenital or acquired. The unilateral and dermatomal distribution suggests that distribution of target vessels is fixed and that they are sensitive to estrogen. Estrogens are mainly produced by the ovaries, but they are also produced by peripheral cirornatization of androgen. Because a major site of this conversion is adipose tissue, estrogen can increase in an obese person. Obesity also reverses the metabolism of estrogen and increases the serum insulin level. Therefore it seems that obesity in our patient induces the development of unilateral nevoid telangiectasia and acanthosis nigricans.