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Kaposi pseudosarcoma
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Kaposi's pseudosarcoma is a chronic vascular disease of the skin of the lower limbs, clinically very similar to Kaposi's sarcoma. Developing due to venous insufficiency (Mali type) or insufficiency of arteriovenous anastomoses (Blufarb-Stewart type).
[The Reasons for Kaposi's Pseudosarcoma
The disease is based on chronic venous insufficiency. In addition to thrombophlebitis and varicose veins, birth defects can occur in the form of arteriovenous fistulas, sometimes in combination with a vascular surface nevus (Klippel-Trenone syndrome). This can be the cause of venous and capillary stasis, leading to hypoxia and compensatory increase in the number of vessels.
Pathomorphology of Kaposi pseudosarcoma
The epidermis is somewhat, sometimes considerably, thickened, the epidermal processes are smoothed. In the dermis, especially in the subepidermal regions, edema, in the upper and middle parts of it there is proliferation of capillaries, their lumens sometimes sharply enlarged. Vessels are separated from each other by interlayers of fibrous connective tissue, in which fibroblasts predominate. Among them are mononuclear cells and a few cells of inflammatory origin. Sometimes there is a tendency to focal vascular growth in the form of separate nodules, which gives them a similarity with Kaposi's sarcoma, however, the histological picture is similar to that with congestive dermatitis.
Symptoms of Kaposi pseudosarcoma
Type Mali develops usually in men aged 40-50 years, clinically manifested by multiple, painful, reddish-brownish spots and plaques, often ulcerating and located in the region of the feet and lower third of the shin, often against the background of changes in the type of ocher-yellow dermatitis. In the case of the Blufarb-Stewart pseudosarcoma, the process is one-sided, develops at a young age, in the form of patchy-plaque foci, cyanotic-reddish with a brownish hue, accompanied by soreness.
Diagnostics of Kaposi pseudosarcoma
The diagnosis is confirmed by arteriography data. Timely diagnosis is very important because of the various treatments for sarcoma and Kaposi pseudosarcoma.
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