[Malignant atrophic papulosis (Köhlmeier-Degos): diagnosis, therapy and course].

[malignant atrophic papulosis]

A 71 -year -old male patient presented with malignant atrophic papulosis (Köhlmeier-Degos disease ). He developed multiple distinctive cutaneous lesions . The histopathological findings showed an obliterated arteriole with a wedge-shaped area of ulcerated and necrobiotic dermis . Laboratory tests were within normal limits or not specific . Although the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs has been noted in approximately 60 % of the reported cases , in this patient so far the skin seems to be the only involved site . There is no proven effective therapy for Köhlmeier-Degos disease . In our case treatment with pentoxifylline and aspirin led to healing of all skin lesions within 3 months . One year after beginning treatment , the patient showed neither new cutaneous lesions , nor any signs of systemic involvement . The combination of pentoxifylline and aspirin should be considered when planning treatment strategies for malignant atrophic papulosis .