title: Non-HIV-related Kaposi sarcoma in 2 Hispanic patients arising in the setting of chronic venous insufficiency.
abstract: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection that can be confused with the clinical and histological findings of chronic venous insufficiency. Definitive diagnosis of KS can only be achieved by performing a polymerase chain reaction for HHV-8 or by immunostaining for the HHV-8 antigen. We describe 2 unusual clinical presentations of KS in the setting of chronic venous insufficiency with clinical and histologic features consistent with stasis dermatitis but positive HHV-8 immunostaining. Both patients had no known risk factors for KS. We propose the possibility that these cases may represent a new clinical variant of KS that may become more prevalent over time. Further studies are needed to identify the risk factors involved. Meanwhile, skin biopsy with HHV-8 testing may be warranted for violaceous patches and plaques arising on the legs in the setting of chronic venous insufficiency, especially in patients who are unresponsive to treatment.
authors.forename: Syril Kt
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Que
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: DeFelice
authors.forename: Farah R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Abdulla
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cassarino
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, 530 1st Ave, Ste 7J, New York, NY 10016, USA. rishi.patel@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Rishi R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000150:complications*