Generalized Essential Telangiectasia Workup

  • Author: David Green, MD, PA; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 10, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

Laboratory test results in generalized essential telangiectasia patients are normal.

Next

Histologic Findings

Microscopically, capillary telangiectases consist of thin-walled ectatic vessels in the dermis, usually in the superficial portion subjacent to the epidermal-dermal junction. They are devoid of muscular, elastic, and adventitial components, and the endothelial cells are alkaline phosphatase negative, all typical features of the venous portion of the capillary loop. Ultrastructural analyses of the vessels are consistent with the telangiectases developing from the existing microvasculature—no evidence of neovascularization is apparent.[13]

These findings are in contrast to those found in the walls of normal terminal arterioles and capillary loops and the telangiectases associated with dermatomyositis, in which the endothelium is alkaline phosphatase positive. These features indicate that the telangiectases of generalized essential telangiectasia are derived from the venous portion of the capillary loop or that the anatomic construction has been altered and the biochemical activity, ie, alkaline phosphatase, has been lost as a consequence of the disease.

In one report, no estrogen or progesterone receptors were present in measurable levels in the single patient with generalized essential telangiectasia in whom tests were performed. Estrogen and progesterone receptors have not been found in randomly occurring telangiectases of the lower extremity.

Previous
Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

David Green, MD, PA  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Howard University Hospital

David Green, MD, PA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American College of Phlebology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington at Seattle School of Medicine; Chief, Dermatology Section, Primary and Specialty Care Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center of Seattle

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Van Perry, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Van Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Rothe MJ, Grant-Kels JM. Nomenclature of the primary telangiectasias. Int J Dermatol. May 1992;31(5):320. [Medline].

  2. McGrae JD, Winkelmann RK. Generalized essential telangiectasia: Report of a clinical and histochemical study of 13 patients with acquired cutaneous lesions. JAMA. Sep 21 1963;185:909-13. [Medline].

  3. Ali MM, Teimory M, Sarhan M. Generalized essential telangiectasia with conjunctival involvement. Clin Exp Dermatol. Nov 2006;31(6):781-2. [Medline].

  4. Gantenbein C, Seiter S, Weik R, Reinhold U, Ruprecht KW, Tilgen W. [Ocular manifestation of progressive essential telangiectases]. J Fr Ophtalmol. Jan 2001;24(1):45-8. [Medline].

  5. Mannis MJ, Bindi CS, Huntley AC. Ocular manifestations of generalized essential telangiectasia. Cornea. Nov 1999;18(6):731-3. [Medline].

  6. Seiter S, Gantenbein C, Ugurel S, Ruprecht KW, Tilgen W, Reinhold U. An oculocutaneous presentation of essential progressive telangiectasia. Br J Dermatol. May 1999;140(5):969-71. [Medline].

  7. Swensson B, Swensson O, Häring G. [Progressive disseminated essential telangiectasia with conjunctival involvement]. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd. Feb 1998;212(2):116-9. [Medline].

  8. Person JR, Longcope C. Estrogen and progesterone receptors are not increased in generalized essential telangiectasia. Arch Dermatol. Jul 1985;121(7):836-7. [Medline].

  9. Sadick NS, Niedt GW. A study of estrogen and progesterone receptors in spider telangiectasias of the lower extremities. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. Jul 1990;16(7):620-3. [Medline].

  10. Thieu KP, Haynes HA. Generalized essential telangiectasia with predilection for surgical scar. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 2009;60(4):710-1. [Medline].

  11. Wells RS, Dowling GB. Hereditary benign telangiectasia. Br J Dermatol. Jan 1971;84(1):93-4. [Medline].

  12. Checketts SR, Burton PS, Bjorkman DJ, Kadunce DP. Generalized essential telangiectasia in the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 1997;37(2 Pt 2):321-5. [Medline].

  13. Braverman IM. Ultrastructure and organization of the cutaneous microvasculature in normal and pathologic states. J Invest Dermatol. Aug 1989;93(2 Suppl):2S-9S. [Medline].

  14. Wenzel SM, Hohenleutner U, Landthaler M. Progressive disseminated essential telangiectasia and erythrosis interfollicularis colli as examples for successful treatment with a high-intensity flashlamp. Dermatology. 2008;217(3):286-90. [Medline].

  15. Green D. Sclerotherapy treatment insights. Dermatol Clin. Jan 1998;16(1):195-211. [Medline].

  16. Shelley WB. Essential progressive telangiectasia. Successful treatment with tetracycline. JAMA. May 24 1971;216(8):1343-4. [Medline].

  17. Shelley WB, Shelley ED. Essential progressive telangiectasia in an autoimmune setting: successful treatment with acyclovir. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1989;21(5 Pt 2):1094-6. [Medline].

  18. Shelley WB, Fierer JA. Focal intravascular coagulation in progressive ascending telangiectasia: ultrastructural studies of ketoconazole-induced involution of vessels. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 1984;10(5 Pt 2):876-87. [Medline].

  19. Buscaglia DA, Conte ET. Successful treatment of generalized essential telangiectasia with the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser. Cutis. Feb 2001;67(2):107-8. [Medline].

  20. Gambichler T, Avermaete A, Wilmert M, Altmeyer P, Hoffmann K. Generalized essential telangiectasia successfully treated with high-energy, long-pulse, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. Dermatol Surg. Apr 2001;27(4):355-7. [Medline].

  21. Blume JE. Generalized essential telangiectasia: a case report and review of the literature. Cutis. Apr 2005;75(4):223-4. [Medline].

  22. Abrahamian LM, Rothe MJ, Grant-Kels JM. Primary telangiectasia of childhood. Int J Dermatol. May 1992;31(5):307-13. [Medline].

  23. Champion RH. Disorders affecting small blood vessels. In: Rook/Wilkinson/Ebling Textbook of Dermatology. Blackwell Scientific; 1986:1081.

  24. Gentele H, Lodin A. Telangiectasia essentialis generalisata of unknown origin. Acta Derm Venereol. 1957;37(6):465-70. [Medline].

  25. Kint A, Geerts ML, Platevoet D. Generalized essential telangiectasia. Arch Belg Dermatol Syphiligr. Oct-Dec 1972;28(4):377-85. [Medline].

  26. Long D, Marshman G. Generalized essential telangiectasia. Australas J Dermatol. Feb 2004;45(1):67-9. [Medline].

  27. Olsen T. Peripheral vascular diseases, necrotizing vasculitis, and vascular-related diseases. In: Moschella SL, Hurley HJ, eds. Dermatology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1985:1049.

  28. Reed WB, Epstein WL, Boder E, Sedgwick R. Cutaneous manifestations of ataxia-telangiectasia. JAMA. Feb 28 1966;195(9):746-53. [Medline].

  29. Taber CW. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia: FA Davis Co; 1997:T-11.

 
Previous
Next
 
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.