Venous lake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Venous lake Classification and external resources |
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| DiseasesDB | 31384 |
|---|---|
| eMedicine | derm/451 |
A venous lake is an asymptomatic, generally solitary, soft, compressible, dark blue to violaceous, 0.2- to 1-cm papule commonly found on sun-exposed surfaces of the vermilion border of the lip, face and ears.[1][2][3] Lesions generally occur among the elderly.[4]
Though these lesions may resemble nodular melanoma, the lack of induration, slow growth, and lightening appearance upon diascopy suggest against it, and indicate a vascular lesion.[5] Additionally, lack of pulsation distinguishes this lesion of the lower lip from a tortuous segment of the inferior labial artery.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Images
 Venous lake of the lip |
 Venous lake of the ear |
 Venous lake of the ear |
[edit] Cause
The cause is unknown; however it is thought to be associated with sun exposure, leading to a dilated blood-filled vascular channel[1] "...lined with a singled layer of flattened endothelial cells and a thin wall of fibrous tissue filled with red blood cells."[5]
[edit] Treatment
Treatment is not necessary, and patients should be reassured of the lesion's non-malignant nature. However, if treatment is sought for cosmetic reasons, lesions can be treated with surgical excision, laser therapy, infrared coagulation, cryotherapy, and sclerotherapy.[3][4][5][6]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ a b Habif, Thomas P. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. Mosby, Inc. 2004. Page 825. ISBN 0323013198.
- ^ Goldberg LH, Altman Ar. "Venous lakes of the ears." Cutis. 1985;36(6):472-5. PMID 4075841.
- ^ a b c Sauer, Gordon. Manual of Skin Diseases. J. B. Lippincott Company. 1985. Page 315. ISBN 0397506686.
- ^ a b Kuo HW,Yang CH. "Venous lake of the lip treated with a sclerosing agent: report of two cases." Dermatol Surg. 2003;29(4):425-8. PMID 12656828.
- ^ a b c Wolff and Johnson. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2005. Page 192. ISBN 0071440194.
- ^ Majamaa and Hjerppe. "Treatment of venous-lake angiomas with a carbon dioxide laser." J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2003;17(3):352-3. PMID 12702087.
