Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy: light and transmission electron microscopy

Abstract

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy is a rare acquired idiopathic microangiopathy characterized by progressive development of diffuse asymptomatic telangiectasias and histologically by accumulation of collagen type IV around the affected vessels. It is diagnosed by its clinical history, confirmed by light microscopy with collagen-specific immunostaining. We report a case of a patient with extensive acquired telangiectasias on the left arm, clinically resembling unilateral nevoid telangiectasia. Dilated blood vessels with thickened walls were observed in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry with collagen IV antibodies revealed marked collagen deposition around the vessels, confirming the diagnosis. Transmission electron microscopy observed duplicate and triplicate vascular basal membrane associated with deposition of amorphous material around the membranes.

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy

“…Veil cells and Luse bodies (abnormal collagen) with focal endothelial damage can also be seen on electron microscopy. 4 Treatment options are limited. Pulsed dye laser therapy has been suggested and was successful in one case, warranting further exploration.…”

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy: A report of three cases

“…It has been suggested that endothelial cell injury, regardless of the mechanism, leading to endothelial cell denudement is a stimulus to microvascular basement membrane zone thickening 7 . The multiple laminations of the reduplicated basement membrane zones can be highlighted by Type IV collagen and PAS stains 7–11 …”

“…7 The multiple laminations of the reduplicated basement membrane zones can be highlighted by Type IV collagen and PAS stains. [7][8][9][10][11] Lipoid proteinosis exhibits a similar pattern of thickened vessel walls; however, its basis is not one of basement membrane zone reduplication as a sequela of antecedent endothelial cell injury.…”

Rare case of cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy in a patient with chronic HCV infection 1b subtype

“…В одном случае первые телеангиэктазии появились на коже груди [8], в другом на коже верхних конечностей [17]. В некоторых случаях телеангиэктазии присутствовали только на коже одной ноги [5], или руки [15], или поражали только оба предплечья [5].…”