From the Research
Targetoid Hemosiderotic Hemangioma (THH) is a benign vascular tumor that typically requires no treatment unless it causes symptoms or cosmetic concerns, and for symptomatic or cosmetically bothersome lesions, complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice, which is both diagnostic and curative, as supported by the most recent review article 1. The lesion presents as a small, solitary reddish-brown to purple papule with a characteristic targetoid appearance—a central brown or violaceous area surrounded by a pale ring and an outer ecchymotic halo. Some key points to consider about THH include:
- It most commonly occurs on the extremities, particularly the legs, in young to middle-aged adults.
- Histologically, THH is characterized by dilated vascular spaces lined by hobnail endothelial cells protruding into the lumen, with hemosiderin deposits in the surrounding tissue explaining the brown coloration.
- Alternative treatments include laser therapy, cryotherapy, or electrodessication for smaller lesions.
- The condition has an excellent prognosis with no malignant potential or tendency for recurrence after complete removal, as noted in a case report 2 and a dermoscopic study 3.
- No specific follow-up is required after removal, as these lesions are entirely benign and do not indicate any underlying systemic disease, which is consistent with the findings of a review article 1 and other studies 4. It's worth noting that while other studies discuss different aspects of vascular lesions, such as the efficacy of pulse dye laser therapy for ulcerated haemangiomas 5, the most relevant and recent information for THH is provided in the review article 1.