title: Glomeruloid haemangioma with cerebriform morphology in a patient with POEMS syndrome.
abstract: A 40-year-old Chinese man presented with sensorimotor polyneuropathy, IgAlambda paraprotein, osteosclerotic bone lesions, hypertrichosis, and impotence with decreased testosterone and raised prolactin level. POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes) syndrome was diagnosed and he was treated with melphalan and prednisolone. After chemotherapy, other manifestations of POEMS syndrome developed, such as multiple haemangiomas over the chest and neck region, splenomegaly and generalized oedema. One haemangioma had a peculiar clinical morphology, similar to the appearance of cerebral gyri. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of glomeruloid haemangioma. Chemotherapy was then switched to cyclophosphamide and prednisolone, resulting in further improvement in muscle power and hypertrichosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a clinically distinctive morphology of glomeruloid haemangioma, and its recognition may increase the index of suspicion for early skin biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Social Hygiene Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. chanjpt@yahoo.com.hk
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016878:POEMS Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone