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