Rosacea Associated with Polycythemia Vera

ABSTRACT

We report a case of rosacea in a 65 year old female with a 14 year history of polycythemia vera. The patient suffered from several constitutional symptoms and signs suggestive of polycythemia vera. Six years prior to our initial examination, erythematous lesions were first noted on the center of the face. These lesions exhibited periodic improvement and exacerbation without specific treatment. Histopathologic examination of the facial lesions showed nodular infiltration of lymphocytes and histiocytes and dilation of blood vessels. On the basis of laboratory examination, the patient was diagnosed as polycythemia vera. The patient has received metronidazole, tetracycline, and topical steroids to control rosacea-like facial lesions. The treatment results were not significant. However, phlebotomy markedly improved the skin lesion. To our knowledge, there are no reports describing the clinical course of rosacea lesions following the treatment with phlebotomy.