Generalized essential telangiectasia

Dermatol Online J. 2008 May 15;14(5):9.

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman presented with multiple, erythematous cutaneous vessels that blanched with diascopy and were symmetrically distributed over both lower and upper extremities. The lesions had been present for approximately 6 years and were asymptomatic. Generalized essential telangiectasia (GET) is an idiopathic syndrome of widespread, asymptomatic telangiectases of unknown cause. In our patient, an extensive laboratory evaluation showed low levels of circulating vitamin C as well as the presence of urinary matrix metalloproteinases. The relevance of these abnormal findings is unclear. No uniformly effective treatment exists for GET. Our patient was started on oral doxycycline and was referred for laser therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Diseases, Vascular / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Vascular / therapy
  • Telangiectasis / diagnosis*
  • Telangiectasis / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline