Angioma serpiginosum: Dermoscopy for diagnosis, pulsed dye laser for treatment

Abstract

Angioma serpiginosum is a rare benign vascular disorder, characterized clinically by multiple minute, red to purple, grouped macules in serpiginous and gyrate patterns and histopathologically by ectatic dilatation of capillaries. Patients can undergo unnecessary hematological tests, because the condition can be confused with chronic purpuric dermatoses. An 18-year-old man with angioma serpiginosum of his left arm was evaluated by dermoscopy and treated with pulsed dye laser. Numerous small, relatively well-demarcated, round to oval red lagoons were determined with dermoscopy, and approximately 75% of the area of his lesion disappeared after four sessions of pulsed dye laser. Our case supports the hypothesis that dermoscopy is beneficial in the diagnosis of angioma serpiginosum and that pulsed dye laser is effective in the treatment of this disorder.