Generalized essential telangiectasia
Generalized essential telangiectasia, also known as general essential telangiectasia,[1] is characterized by the dilation of veins and capillaries over a large segment of the body without preceding or coexisting lesions, telengiectases that may be distributed over the entire body or be localized to some large area such as the legs, arms, or trunk.[2]: 589, 844
| Generalized essential telangiectasia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | General essential telangiectasia |
 | |
| Telangiectasia of the left ear in 13-year-old girl. | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
The cause of generalized essential telangiectasia is unknown. The diagnosis is made by excluding other causes of telangiectasia. Treatment is unneeded.
Signs and symptoms
editGeneralized essential telangiectasia is defined by the appearance of extensive telangiectases on the skin, which gradually extend to other parts of the body over time.[3] Usually, lesions start in the lower limbs and work their way up to the upper torso.[4] Lesions can be diffuse or confined, discrete or confluent, and have a pattern resembling that of a macular or plaque.[5] The eruption rarely causes any symptoms.[3] But it's possible to experience burning, tingling, numbness, or moderate pruritus.[4] Although mucosal involvement is rare, conjunctival and/or oral mucosal telangiectases have been observed in some cases.[6]
Causes
editThe exact cause of generalized essential telangiectasia is uncertain.[7] The lower legs and feet are more likely to have lesions, leading to the hypothesis that gravity and hydrostatic pressures are related.[4][5] According to one author, a case of generalized essential telangiectasia might have been caused by a vitamin C deficiency brought on by a colitis-related restrictive diet, which resulted in a down-regulation of collagen formation.[8]
Diagnosis
editGeneralized essential telangiectasia is a clinical diagnosis made after ruling out systemic sources of telangiectases.[3] Differential diagnosis includes cirrhosis, syphilis, hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, ataxia telangiectasia syndrome, telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans, medications, telangiectases associated with autoimmune diseases (dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis), and previous radiation therapy.[6][9]
Treatment
editUnless the patient requests treatment to improve the appearance of the lesions, supportive care alone is sufficient.[10] Compression stockings, minocycline, or vascular laser therapy are available as treatment options.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. p. 1621. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
- ^ a b c Spratt, Elizabeth A Gordon; DeFelice, Taylor; O'Reilly, Kathryn; Robinson, Maria; Patel, Rishi R; Sanchez, Miguel (2012-12-01). "Generalized essential telangiectasia". Dermatology Online Journal. 18 (12). doi:10.5070/D30HX273P5. ISSN 1087-2108.
- ^ a b c d Long, Dorota; Marshman, Gillian (2004). "Generalized essential telangiectasia". Australasian Journal of Dermatology. 45 (1). Wiley: 67–69. doi:10.1111/j.1440-0960.2004.00033.x. ISSN 0004-8380. PMID 14961914.
- ^ a b McGrae, John D. (1963-09-21). "Generalized Essential Telangiectasia: Report of a Clinical and Histochemical Study of 13 Patients with Acquired Cutaneous Lesions". JAMA. 185 (12): 909–913. doi:10.1001/jama.1963.03060120019015. ISSN 0098-7484. PMID 14044221.
- ^ a b Ali, M. M.; Teimory, M.; Sarhan, M. (2006). "Generalized essential telangiectasia with conjunctival involvement". Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 31 (6). Oxford University Press (OUP): 781–782. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2006.02217.x. ISSN 0307-6938. PMID 17040263.
- ^ Matthews, Stephanie; Dallo, Christopher; Tate, Jesalyn (2023-06-01). "Generalized Essential Telangiectasia". JAMA Dermatology. 159 (6): 661. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.6229. ISSN 2168-6068. PMID 37074704.
- ^ Karen, Julie K; Mengden, Stephanie J; Kamino, Hideko; Shupack, Jerome L (2008). "Generalized essential telangiectasia". Dermatology Online Journal. 14 (5). doi:10.5070/D36DD8M6RK. ISSN 1087-2108. PMID 18627745.
- ^ Tetart, F.; Lorthioir, A.; Girszyn, N.; Lahaxe, L.; Ducrotté, P.; Marie, I. (2009). "Watermelon stomach revealing generalized essential telangiectasia". Internal Medicine Journal. 39 (11). Wiley: 781–783. doi:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2009.02048.x. ISSN 1444-0903. PMID 19912409.
- ^ Powell, Emily; Markus, Ramsey; Malone, Cedar H. (2021-01-16). "Generalized essential telangiectasia treated with PDL". Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 20 (4). Wiley: 1086–1087. doi:10.1111/jocd.13938. ISSN 1473-2130. PMID 33405306.
Further reading
edit- Gambichler, Thilo; Avermaete, Annelies; Wilmert, Monika; Altmeyer, Peter; Hoffmann, Klaus (2001). "Generalized Essential Telangiectasia Successfully Treated with High-Energy, Long-Pulse, Frequency-Doubled Nd:YAG Laser". Dermatologic Surgery. 27 (4). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health): 355–357. doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.2001.00307.x. ISSN 1076-0512. PMID 11298706.
- Thieu, Khanh P.; Haynes, Harley A. (2009). "Generalized essential telangiectasia with predilection for surgical scar". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 60 (4). Elsevier BV: 710–711. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2008.09.025. ISSN 0190-9622. PMID 19293028.