Poikiloderma vasculare atrophicans: A distinct clinical entity?

This paper describes a typical case of poikiloderma vasculare atrophicans (PVA) in a 48-year-old female. Histologically, the features were suggestive of PVA with the absence of Pautrier′s microabscess or atypical lymphoid cells. The biopsy specimen was positive for cluster of differentiation (CD) 8...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vikram K Mahajan, Pushpinder S Chauhan, Karaninder S Mehta, Anju Lath Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Dermatology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2015;volume=60;issue=2;spage=216;epage=216;aulast=Mahajan
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Summary:This paper describes a typical case of poikiloderma vasculare atrophicans (PVA) in a 48-year-old female. Histologically, the features were suggestive of PVA with the absence of Pautrier′s microabscess or atypical lymphoid cells. The biopsy specimen was positive for cluster of differentiation (CD) 8 on immunohistochemical staining. Its exact pathogenesis remains obscure, and it remains unclear whether PVA actually is mycosis fungoides (MF), a forme fruste of MF, or a distinct and benign dermatosis with CD8+ phenotype that can perhaps be labeled as PVA. However, it has a long benign clinical course without progression to tumor stage of MF in most cases, and its status within the spectrum of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma remains poorly understood. Yet it is imperative to distinguish PVA from poikilodermic MF.
ISSN:0019-5154
1998-3611