[Acquired tufted angioma in an adult].

INTRODUCTION: Acquired vascular tumors have been raising new interest since Kaposi's illness was discovered in human immunodeficiency virus infection. We herein report a case of a rare different entity of acquired vascular tumor, described by E. Wilson-Jones for the first time in 1976.

CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old woman had had for several months an asymptomatic erythematous lesion on the face gradually increasing in size. Histopathologic findings were pathognomonic of "tufted" angioma. The patient did not receive any treatment because of uncertain efficiency and because her lesion was well tolerated.

DISCUSSION: "Acquired tufted angioma" is a benign angioma of the skin mainly occurring in children and young adults of both sexes. Histopathologic findings are pathognomonic. Typically, tufted angioma enlarges for a few years and then ceases growing and remains stable. Spontaneous regression may occur. The principal differential diagnoses are Kaposi's illness and low grade malignant angiosarcoma. Pulsed dye laser in the most efficient treatment.