A case of acquired tufted angioma in adulthood

Abstract

Tufted angioma is a rare vascular tumor whose name derives from its histopathological appearance, characterized by tufts of capillaries within the dermis. Its etiology and pathogenesis are uncertain. Tufted angioma typically occurs during infancy or early childhood and displays various clinical patterns. It may present as a subtle stain-like area that later thickens as a large plaque, infi ltrated or dusky blue-purple lesion, or as an exophytic, fi rm, violaceous, cutaneous nodule. Medical treatment is not necessary for tufted angioma, given its benign nature and slow progression. Only clinical follow-up is therefore recommended.

SkIndia Quiz 53: A dusky red plaque with satellite lesions

“…The differential diagnoses of tufted angioma include other vascular proliferative lesions such as congenital and infantile hemangiomas or vascular malformations in congenital and early-onset cases, and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma or Kaposi sarcoma in adult-onset cases. [12] Histologically, tufted angioma resembles glomeruloid hemangioma. [13]…”

Acral nodule as a form of atypical presentation of a tufted angioma in adulthood

“…It is a slow growing benign vascular tumor that can appear congenitally or acquired and is more frequent in childhood. Cases of occurrence in adulthood have also been described …”

“…Therapeutic abstention is an option in asymptomatic lesions without visceral repercussion . The complete involution of TA has been described, especially in pediatric patients.…”

“…Cases of occurrence in adulthood have also been described. [4][5][6] It usually presents as a single erythematous-violaceous plaque or tumor, poorly delimited, infiltrated and sometimes painful, on the face, neck, upper part of the trunk, or proximal region of the extremities. It frequently associates a deep nodular component, which can extend to subcutaneous cellular tissue, fascia, and muscle.…”

“…3,8 Therapeutic abstention is an option in asymptomatic lesions without visceral repercussion. 4,7,8 The complete involution of TA has been described, especially in pediatric patients. Surgery can be used for symptomatic lesions, although complete excision is usually difficult due to the usually poorly-defined margins of the TA.…”