Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia: efficacy of isotretinoin?
BACKGROUND
Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is a benign but potentially disfiguring vascular lesion. It is usually characterized by dermal and subcutaneous nodules, primarily in the head and neck region. Spontaneous regression is common, but persistent or recurrent lesions may require treatment. Several treatments have been reported but surgery is the most efficient one.


RESULTS
We report a 32-year-old man presenting with multiple nodules on the cheeks, preauricular region and the scalp and who received treatment with isotretinoin (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 1 year with complete resolution of one of his scalp nodules. The rest of the lesions remained stable and were treated with surgical excision without recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Isotretinoin may play a role in the treatment of ALHE due to its antiangiogenic properties via a reduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by keratinocytes.
El Sayed
Fouad
F
Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. fouad_el_sayed@yahoo.com
Dhaybi
Rola
R
Ammoury
Alfred
A
Chababi
Myrna
M
D000328:Adult; D005871:Castleman Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin