To the Editor: Spider angiomas are benign vascular lesions mostly associated with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Here, we report multiple spider angiomas in a patient with chronic hepatic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).A 40-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia received hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) 7 years ago. Five months after HSCT, he developed chronic hepatic GVHD. Hepatic GVHD was diagnosed by a hematologist according to abnormal liver function tests (LFTs), elevations in bilirubin. In recent 2 years, he noticed multiple red spots on the neck [Figure 1A], arms [Figure 1B and 1C], and upper trunk [Figure 1D]. Physical examination revealed multiple telangiectatic macules, characterized by central arteriole with radiated blood vessels. Compression of central area caused the entire telangiectasia to blanch. He also had tender gynecomastia. Laboratory findings included increase in total bilirubin 29.8 μmol/L (normal value <21 μmol/L), direct bilirubin 15.1 μmol/L (normal value <7 μmol/L), total bile acid 56.1 μmol/L (normal value <10 μmol/L), alanine transaminase 48 IU/L (normal value <40 IU/L), aspartate transaminase 65 IU/L (normal value <40 IU/L), alkaline phosphatase 169 IU/L (normal value <125 IU/L), gamma glutamyl transpeptidas 109 IU/L (normal value <60 IU/L), and decrease in serum albumin 29 g/L (normal value >40 g/L). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were both negative. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a nodular liver surface. Esophageal varices were not found. The patient denied the history of alcoholic hepatitis or viral hepatitis. He had no history of using suspected drugs which affected estrogen metabolism. He was diagnosed as spider angiomas associated to hepatic GVHD and was treated with systemic steroids. The abnormality of liver function was successfully controlled while the telangiectasia remained unchanged.
Figure 1
Representative image of the patient. (A) Typical lesion with an arteriole in the central region that radiating “the legs of spider” were seen on the neck. (B–D) Multiple telangiectasias were present on the arms and upper trunk.
Representative image of the patient. (A) Typical lesion with an arteriole in the central region that radiating “the legs of spider” were seen on the neck. (B–D) Multiple telangiectasias were present on the arms and upper trunk.GVHD is a common complication of HSCT. It usually involves the skin, gastrointestinal mucosa and liver. Hepatic GVHD has abnormal LFTs in a cholestastic pattern and usually has extra-hepatic manifestations.[ Although cirrhosis is a rare consequence of hepatic GVHD, patients with long-term abnormal LFTs are at high risk of developing cirrhosis secondary to GVHD.[ This patient had multiple spider angiomas with long-term abnormal LFTs, suggesting that the spider angiomas were related to hepatic GVHD.Spider angioma is a vascular lesion characterized by anomalous dilatation of end vasculature slightly found beneath the skin surface. Single lesion of spider angiomas is seen in 10% to 15% of healthy children and young adults. Multiple spider angiomas can be found in women during pregnancy, or using oral contraceptive pills.[ Chronic liver disease is one of the most common causes. They are often seen in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and in those with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C viral infection.[ The spider angiomas related to hepatic GVHD are rare.The pathogenesis of spider angiomas is still unclear. The presence of spider angiomas is accompanied by an increased serum estradiol/free testosterone ratio in male cirrhotic. Elevated substance P levels, vascular endothelial growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor have also been reported in patients with spider angiomas. All of these cytokines play roles in vasodilation and angiogenesis.[
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