Re: Daughter's Schaumberg's diagnosis

Posted By Mary on August 06, 1999 at 15:47:28
Doctor:
I am a concerned mother on behalf of my 27 year old daughter.  In January, she noticed a brownish splotch on her leg -- not thinking much about it.  Then several started appearing.  Now they are everywhere on her left leg, traveling up her left buttock.  She saw a dermatologist who ordered a biopsy, declared it as "schaumberg's disease" and promptly said there was nothing else to be done.  Unfortunately,she has pain associated with her left leg, often for several hours at a time, which usually precedes an outbreak of "more spots."  Her GP says she should see a dermatologist again -- her dermatologist says she should be talking to her GP.  We are both confused.  Q:  Is there usually pain associated with outbreaks of capillary rupture with Schaumberg's Disease?   Q: Everything I've read about Schaumberg's state that this is found in men -- no mention of females having it.   Could she have something more serious?  Q:  Should she see a specialist--what kind??    Q:  Is this particular situation something that might lead to a disability -- blot clots, etc???  HELP! Thanks,
Mary

[Derm-MD-ASR]

Posted By Derm M.D. ASR on August 06, 1999 at 18:11:46
Mary:
Your question is complex.  Schamberg's Disease appears as patches of brownish-red spots on the legs of women.  Under the micropscope, these are broken capillaries (presumably what your dermatologist found on biopsy.)
Schamberg's Disease is usually not associated with pain or systemic problems, nor does it produce several patches on one leg.  Biopsy results must be correlated with clinical findings to make sense.
My advice: have your dermatologist revisit the problem with a fresh pair of eyes.  If that's not possible, get another opinion.  Another option is to consult as well a rheumatologist, since arthritis specialists often consult on cases where skin blood vessels are involved.
One question: does the pain your daugher feels sometimes induce her to squeeze or pick at the skin?  If so, that might explain the broken blood vessels.
good luck.
Dr. R
keywords: Schamberg's Disease, vasculitis, biopsy, Rockoff

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Daughter's Schaumberg's diagnosis Mary 8/08/1999
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Re: Daughter's Schaumberg's diagnosis Norma 8/29/1999
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Re: Daughter's Schaumberg's diagnosis Derm M.D. ASR 8/08/1999
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[Cheri1st_state]

A related discussion, Progressive Pigmentary dermatosis was started.