Acroangiodermatitis in a leg amputee using a suction-socket prosthesis: Clinical, histological as well as HHV-8 and CD34 immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Acroangiodermatitis (AAD) is a rare, vascular phenomenon of unclear pathogene-sis. Itchy, lichenoid, purple/violaceous/yellowish/brownish papules/nodules, plaques/patches mainly on lower limbs occasionally evolve into verrucous lesions and recurrent painful ulcerations. Elevated vein and capillary pressure due to the sub-atmospheric suspension system seems to be the triggering factor for angioprolifer-ation in the amputation stump. A middle-aged male amputee, a suction-socket pros-thesis user, showing combined clinical, histological and immunohistochemical (HHV-8 negative; CD34 and CD31 expressed in endothelial, but not perivascular, cells) fea-tures of AAD is presented. Dermatologists, orthopedic surgeons, pathomorpholo-gists, but also prosthesis makers and amputees themselves, should be aware of AAD as suction-socket prostheses become increasingly popular.