ABSTRACT
We report the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of multiple erythematous bullae on both forearms, which had been present for about 1 month. The lesions appeared after several years of topical corticosteroid application and photoageing. A biopsy revealed lymphangiectasia with solar elastosis and increase in the ratio of elastic to collagen fibres in the dermis. We suggest that this patient's lymphangiectasia resulted from abnormal structure and function of the dermis due to photoageing and steroid-related atrophy.
Subject(s)
Drug Eruptions/etiology , Glucocorticoids/adverse effects , Lymphangiectasis/etiology , Skin Aging/pathology , Administration, Cutaneous , Aged , Arm/pathology , Drug Eruptions/pathology , Humans , Lymphangiectasis/chemically induced , Lymphangiectasis/pathology , MaleABSTRACT
We report an elderly patient with lymphangiectases arising within skin affected by photoaging, steroid atrophy, and inflammation. Bullous lesions appeared in several sites following a year of topical corticosteroid applications for neurodermatitis. Light and electron microscopy showed that the bullae consisted of dilated lymphatic vessels within the dermis. There was also marked nodular elastosis and attenuation of dermal collagen. We suggest that this patient's lymphangiectases resulted from abnormal structure and function of the dermis due to photoaging and steroid atrophy.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/adverse effects , Lymphangiectasis/chemically induced , Lymphangiectasis/pathology , Skin Aging/drug effects , Skin Aging/pathology , Skin Diseases/chemically induced , Skin Diseases/pathology , Administration, Topical , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Aged , Female , HumansABSTRACT
The term penicillamine dermatopathy refers to the characteristic hemorrhagic skin lesions found in persons receiving long-term penicillamine therapy for either Wilson's disease or cystinuria. These lesions are thought to develop as a result of faulty collagen and elastin synthesis. We describe a patient with Wilson's disease who developed extensive penicillamine dermatopathy. In addition, histologic, immunochemical, and ultrastructural studies revealed multiple lymphangiectases with blood vessel to lymphatic anastomosis within these lesions, a finding not previously reported. The possible relationship to defective collagen and elastin formation are considered.
