Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is an uncommon, sporadic,
congenital cutaneous condition presenting with persistent cutis marmorata,
telangiectasia, phlebectasia and possible ulceration of the involved skin,
skin atrophy, and undergrowth of the involved extremity. To further the cur
rent understanding of this disorder, we analyzed the clinical features of a
large series of patients with CMTC. The files of 85 patients with CMTC who
were examined in our center over the last 20 years were reviewed. The data
recorded included patient sex, age at onset, nature and distribution of th
e lesions, associated abnormalities, and course of disease. CMTC was charac
terized by early recognition of the lesions (94% at birth) and equal sex di
stribution. The lesion was unilateral in 65% of patients and most commonly
involved the limbs (69%), Additional capillary lesions, noted in 20% of pat
ients, may well have been an extension of the CMTC itself. Associated anoma
lies were found in 18.8% of patients. Almost half of the patients showed a
definite improvement in the reticular vascular pattern on follow-up. No fam
ilial cases of CMTC were noted. CMTC is more prevalent than previously reco
gnized, affects both sexes equally, and has a mostly localized distribution
; additional vascular lesions are associated with the disorder, but other a
nomalies occur less often, Prognosis is generally good.