Effect of compression therapy on a pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma

A 52-year-old hairdresser developed, 2 years after a deep and superficial V enous thrombosis of the left lower limb, a purple soft lesion topped with a n ulcer in the internal malleolar area of the same leg. Venous duplex exami nation showed a deep and superficial venous insufficiency with partial occl usion of the femoral veins. Histopathological examination disclosed a proli feration of capillaries and fibroblasts, extravasation of erythrocytes and deposits of hemosiderin in the superficial dermis; there were neither nucle ar atypies of the endothelial cells nor spindle cell formation, i.e. compat ible with a pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma. An arteriovenous fistula was not found. With the introduction of a treatment by selective compression (rubber patch ) on the left internal malleolus and class III compressing stockings the ul cer healed in 2 months and the lesion showed a nearly complete regression i n 5 months.