Two cases of telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for c-kit (CD 117)

Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP) is an uncommon form of cutaneous mastocytosis that occurs exclusively in adults. Histologically, TMEP presents with scattered mast cells lined up around the dilated capillaries and venules of the superficial vascular plexus. In some cases, the number of mast cells falls within the range observed in normal skin and therefore cannot be detected by routine histologic examination. We used immunohistochemical staining for c-kit (CD 117) for the definitive diagnosis in two patients with TMEP. One of them was successfully treated with topical application of pimecrolimus.