Diagnosis: AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS).
MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS AND CLINICAL COURSE
The biopsy specimen from the leg nodule showed hyperkeratosis and acanthosis of the epidermis and well-circumscribed spindle cell nodules in the dermis. Within these dermal nodules, there were characteristic slitlike spaces with surrounding ectatic vessels. The pathologic findings were consistent with KS.
Further workup included sigmoidoscopy with biopsies of red nodules in the rectum, and the clinical findings were suggestive of mucosal lesions of KS. However, histologic examination showed only focal acute cryptitis. Bronchoscopic examination with lavage of several suspicious erythematous lesions in the bronchial tree did not show any features of malignancy or viral cytologic change.
Aztreonam and metronidazole therapy was initiated to treat superinfection of the patient’s exudative skin lesions. The plastic surgery service considered the patient a poor surgical candidate for debulking of the mass and, instead, recommended medical therapy. The hematology/oncology service favored treatment with liposomal doxorubicin but decided to defer chemotherapeutic intervention until after further . . . [Full Text of this Article]
DISCUSSION
