Degos disease seems to be a disease of the blood vessels - a thrombotic vasculopathy. Degos disease occurs both in a limited benign, cutaneous form and in a lethal multiorgan, systemic variant. Specifically, it is a progressive, small- and medium-size arterial occluding disease, leading to tissue infarction and initially involving the skin. Patients classically develop multiple skin papules that evolve to have a dimpled appearance with a porcelain white center. Degos disease affects the lining of the small blood vessels resulting in occlusion (blockage). The blood vessels affected include those supplying the skin, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.

Causes of Degos Disease

The exect cause of Degos disease is unknown. Possible Causes are :-

Viral infection.
Disturbance in immunity.
Abnormality in the clotting system of blood.
An allergic vasculitis.

Symptoms of Degos Disease

The symptoms of Degos Diseaseare as follows :-

Abdominal pain.
Chest pains.
Eye problems.
Weight loss.
Shortness of breath.
Lesions in the small intestine

Treatment of Degos disease

Anti-platelet drugs like aspirin and dipyridamole may reduce the number of new lesions in some patients with only skin involvement.
Individuals with Degos disease may benefit from examinations by dermatologists, gastroenterologists, and ophthalmologists.
Treatment with the Er: YAG laser may be a successful strategy in Degos disease.
If serious complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding occur, surgery may be necessary.

|| Home || Contact Us || Resources ||