Pyogenic granuloma-like Kaposi sarcoma: a diagnostic pitfall

Dermatol Online J. 2012 Mar 15;18(3):4.

Abstract

Pyogenic granuloma-like Kaposi sarcoma (PG-like KS) is a clinicopathologic variant of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a vascular tumor caused by human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). PG-like KS is a challenging entity to diagnose because its clinical and histological features encompass both pyogenic granuloma (PG) and KS characteristics. Immunhistochemical staining with HHV-8 latent nuclear antigen-1 (LNA-1) has been shown to exhibit high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing KS. Therefore, the integration of clinical features and context, histopathogical findings, and immunohistochemical analysis is important in obtaining the correct diagnosis of PG-like KS. We report a case of PG-like KS in an HIV-positive man.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Biopsy
  • Granuloma, Pyogenic / diagnosis*
  • Granuloma, Pyogenic / pathology
  • Granuloma, Pyogenic / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis
  • Phosphoproteins / analysis
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • latent nuclear antigen (LNA)