Wolf in sheep's clothing: advanced Kaposi sarcoma mimicking vulvar abscess.
Kaposi sarcoma is a vascular neoplastic disorder that is associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The causative factor in Kaposi sarcoma is human herpes virus-8. This complication of AIDS has a predilection for homosexual males and is rarely associated with the female AIDS population. However, we present a case of Kaposi sarcoma mimicking the benign and common Bartholin gland abscess. A search of the literature including the MEDLINE database revealed a single report of Kaposi sarcoma presenting as a vulvar mass, but not as a suspected Bartholin abscess. The history, presentations, risk factors, and treatments available for Kaposi sarcoma are also discussed in this report.
Laartz
Brent W
BW
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. blaartz@hsc.usf.edu
Cooper
Christopher
C
Degryse
Amber
A
Sinnott
John T
JT
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D001472:Bartholin's Glands; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*