title: From furuncle to axillary web syndrome: shedding light on histopathology and pathogenesis.
abstract: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is defined as a cord-like structure extending from the axilla to the medial arm following axillary surgery in women with breast cancer. There is only limited literature on the pathogenesis of this syndrome and the etiology of the cord. A 57-year-old man presented with a band-like skin depression and tightness over the medial aspect of his arm extending from the axilla to the antecubital fossa following development of a furuncle in the ipsilateral axilla. Histopathologic examination of the 'band' revealed fibroblastic proliferation surrounding the lymphatic vessel which was identified by presence of an obvious valve as well as positive staining for D2-40, a specific marker for lymphatic endothelium. This is the first report of AWS following axillary furunculosis. This case adds to the limited data on the histopathology of AWS, further confirming the etiology of the 'cord' to be of lymphatic origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Shadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rashtak
authors.forename: Gail L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Lawrence E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pittelkow
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001132:Arm / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005667:Furunculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline