Degos' disease (malignant atrophic papulosis) as a fatal cause of acute abdomen: report of a case

Surg Today. 2008;38(9):866-70. doi: 10.1007/s00595-007-3728-9. Epub 2008 Aug 28.

Abstract

Degos' disease, otherwise known as "malignant atrophic papulosis," is a rare condition characterized by typical cutaneous lesions. Its involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is usually associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of Degos' disease with GI involvement, which ultimately caused peritonitis, sepsis, and death, despite all treatment measures. A 59-year old woman was admitted to our hospital with acute generalized abdominal pain. The patient had presented initially with multiple skin lesions 2 years earlier, and even with surgery for small-bowel perforation 10 months before this admission, Degos' disease had not been diagnosed. Explorative laparotomy revealed multifocal, ischemic changes in the small bowel with perforation in the mid-jejunum. After the operation, she suffered recurrent small-bowel fistulas and died within 3 months. In a patient with acute abdominal pain and typical atrophic papules, clinicians should retain a high index of suspicion for Degos' disease with GI involvement, even though it is rare.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases / complications*
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Malignant Atrophic Papulosis / complications*
  • Malignant Atrophic Papulosis / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged