Arteriovenous malformation with angiodermatitis. Stasis dermatitis simulating Kaposi's disease.

Abstract

A case of an unusual angiomatous stasis dermatitis arising from a congenital arteriovenous (AV) malformation that morphologically and histologically simulated Kaposi's disease is reported. The clinical manifestations associated with congenital AV fistulae are reviewed, particularly along lines of coexistent cutaneous vascular abnormalities. The developmental pathophysiology of the stasis lesion is briefly discussed. A viewpoint is expressed that subclinical anomalous arteriovenous channels may preexist in the afflicted dermatitic areas, thus giving rise to the peculiar features.