Two Cases of Monckeberg`s Medial Sclerosis on the Face

Monckeberg`s medial sclerosis is a degenerative process related to age, and is particularly associated with long-standing diabetes mellitus. The media of small and medium-sized muscular arteries are usually involved. Although its pathogenesis is still unknown, its presence can predict the risk of cardiovascular events and leg amputation in diabetic patients. In our two cases, Monckeberg`s medial sclerosis was shown as a bean-sized, pulsatile mass which occurred from an inferior labial branch of the facial artery. Neither paient had a history of diabetes mellitus or calcification in any part of the body, nor an abnormality with their calcium metabolism. Herein, we report a case of a man and a woman with Monckeberg`s medial sclerosis. This condition is so rare that it has not been reported in the Korean dermatologic literature before. Moreover, Monckeberg`s medial sclerosis is very rarely found without diabetes mellitus. (Ann Dermatol (Seoul) 19(1) 31~34, 2007)