venous lake

Introduction

Asymptomatic, dark blue to violaceous soft papule resulting from a dilated venule on the face, lips or ears of patients over 50 years of age.

Etiology

• unknown
• thought to be related to sun exposure

Pathology

• dilated venule lined with flattened endothelium & a thin wall of fibrous tissue

Clinical manifestations

• asymptomatic, dark blue to violaceous soft papule
• occurs on the face, lips or ears in patients over 50
• few lesions occur
• lesions remain for years
• when compressed with a glass slide, venous lakes disappear; this distinguishes them from nodular melanoma & blue nevus

* images

Laboratory

• biopsy
• examination of tissue with epiluminescence microscopy
• distinquish vascular lesion from pigment cell neoplasm

Differential diagnosis

• nodular melanoma
• blue nevus
• pyogenic granuloma

Management

• of cosmetic significance only
• electrosurgery
• laser surgery
• excision

More general terms

• nevus
• hemangioma (strawberry nevus)

Additional terms

• melanoma
• pyogenic granuloma ;granuloma telangiectaticum; lobular capillary hemangioma