We describe two patients with angioma serpiginosum who had both undergone a variety of haematological tests for investigation of purpura, but in whom careful examination of the skin demonstrated abnormal blood vessels rather than extravasated blood. Recognition of vascular disorders which simulate purpura may avoid unnecessary investigations.

Angioma serpiginosum (AS) is an unusual vascular disorder that typically affects female patients, begins in childhood and stabilizes in adulthood and not frequently involve acral skin. We herein present a 13 year-old girl with an asymptomatic erythematous punctuate first noticed on the right palm three years ago, with a proximal serpiginous progression up to the forearm. On examination there wa...

Cutaneous angiomata of the "port wine" variety are frequently associated with angiomata elsewhere in the body and particularly in the central nervous system. Retinal and nervous system involvement by angioma serpiginosum has, however, not previously been recorded. For this reason and also because of the unusual retinal abnormality in this patient, it is felt justifiable to report this single ca...

Cutaneous angiomata of the "port wine" variety are frequently associated with angiomata elsewhere in the body and particularly in the central nervous system. Retinal and nervous system involvement by angioma serpiginosum has, however, not previously been recorded. For this reason and also because of the unusual retinal abnormality in this patient, it is felt justifiable to report this single ca...