Angiokeratoma

These are benign vascular lesions.

Characteristic features:

• red to blue
• approximately 2-6 mm diameter
• hyperkeratotic
• non-blanching
• may bleed if traumatised
• found on the buttocks, thighs, genitalia and lower trunk

Possible associated conditions:

• angiokeratomata are common in Fabry's disease
• also may be found in lysosomal disease
• in general, the presence of these lesions is idiopathic

No treatment is generally required.

Notes:

• sometimes misdiagnosed as Kaposi’s sarcoma or bacillary angiomatosis
• angiokeratomas of Anderson–Fabry disease (angiokeratoma corporis diffusum) are smaller, less hyperkeratotic, pinhead lesions that are found more extensively around the lower limb girdle

Reference:

1. Bunker C B. Male genital dermatology. London: Saunders, 2004.