A Delphi consensus on the nomenclature and diagnosis of lichen planus pigmentosus and related entities

Background: Although well known in clinical practice, research in lichen planus pigmentosus and related dermal pigmentary diseases is restricted due to lack of consensus on nomenclature and disease definition. Aims and Objectives: Delphi exercise to define and categorise acquired dermal pigmentary diseases. Methods: Core areas were identified including disease definition, etiopathogenesis, risk factors, clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and outcome measures. The Delphi exercise was conducted in three rounds. Results: Sixteen researchers representing 12 different universities across India and Australia agreed to be part of this Delphi exercise. At the end of three rounds, a consensus of >80% was reached on usage of the umbrella term ‘acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation’. It was agreed that there were minimal differences, if any, among the disorders previously defined as ashy dermatosis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, Riehl’s melanosis and pigmented contact dermatitis. It was also agreed that lichen planus pigmentosus, erythema dyschromicum perstans and ashy dermatosis did not differ significantly apart from the sites of involvement, as historically described in the literature. Exposure to hair colours, sunlight and cosmetics was associated with these disorders in a significant proportion of patients. Participants agreed that both histopathology and dermatoscopy could diagnose dermal pigmentation characteristic of acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation but could not differentiate the individual entities of ashy dermatosis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, Riehl’s melanosis, lichen planus pigmentosus and pigmented contact dermatitis. Limitations: A wider consensus involving representatives from East Asian, European and Latin American countries is required. Conclusion: Acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation could be an appropriate conglomerate terminology for acquired dermatoses characterised by idiopathic or multifactorial non-inflammatory macular dermal hyperpigmentation

Reporte de un caso: eritema discrómico perstans en paciente con diagnóstico de virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Case report: dyschromic erythema perstans in a patient diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus

El eritema discrómico perstans o dermatitis cenicienta, es un trastorno pigmentario de la piel poco común, de etiología desconocida. Se describe el caso de un adulto de 35 años con antecedente de VIH, quien consulta por aparición de lesiones irregulares, bien definidas café-grises localizadas en cuello, área mandibular inferior, espalda y brazos, de borde levemente eritematoso. El diagnóstico de eritema discrómico perstans se realizó con base en los hallazgos clínicos e histopatológicos.

Erythema dyschromicum perstans also known as ashy dermatosis is a rare skin pigmentary disorder of unknown etiology. We describe the case of a 35-year-old man HIV positive who presented irregular, well defined brown-gray lesions with slightly erythematous border located in neck, lower jaw, back and arms. Diagnosis of erythema dyschromicum perstans in this patient was made based on clinical and histopathological criteria.

Clinical and Histopathological Analysis of 74 Cases of Ashy Dermatosis in Koreans / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Ashy dermatosis is a disorder of pigmentation, characterized by asymptomatic symmetric blue-gray-colored macules of unknown pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate ashy dermatosis in Koreans and to describe its clinical and histopathological features. METHODS: Medical records, photographs, and biopsy specimens obtained from 74 patients were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 74 patients, 38 were men and 36 were women. Clinically, most patients showed lesions on the trunk (83.8%), followed by the extremities (44.6%). At the time of the mean age was 29.9 years, and disease duration was 18.4 months before the institution. We tentatively classified the lesions into the following 3 groups: generalized confluent, generalized macular, and localized type. Clinically, the most common lesion was the generalized macular type (67.6%). Peripheral erythematous borders or concomitant erythematous lesions were observed in 18 patients (24.3%). Histopathologically, the lesions showed perivascular inflammation, dermal melanophages, and pigmentary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Our study classified ashy dermatosis into 3 groups, and this categorization may contribute to a better understanding of ashy dermatosis.

Eritema discrómico perstans: a propósito de tres casos / Dyschromatic erythema perstans: About three cases

El eritema discrómico perstans (EDP) es una hipermelanosis idiopática asintomática descripta por primera vez en el año 1957 por el doctor Ramírez en El Salvador. Se caracteriza por máculas azul-grisáceas que, posteriormente, toman un color ceniciento con borde eritematoso sobreelevado y de evolución lenta. Se presenta en individuos sanos, de fototipo IV, es más frecuente en mujeres y en la segunda década de la vida. Se ha descripto principalmente en pacientes de América Central y del Sur. Su respuesta al tratamiento es pobre, aunque la clofazimina ha mostrado ser útil. En este artículo, se describen tres casos clínicos de distintas características y se realiza una breve revisión de la literatura (AU)

Erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP) is an asymptomatic idiopathic hypermelanosis first described in 1957 by Dr. Ramirez in El Salvador. It is characterized by blue-gray macules which subsequently turn to an "ashy" color with raised erythematous border and slow evolution. Healthy skin type IV individuals are affected, being more common in women and at the second decade of life. It has been described mainly in patients from Central and South America. Treatment response is poor, although clofazimine has proved to be useful. Three cases with different features are described and a brief review of the literature is made (AU)

Dermatosis cenicienta / ashy dermatosis

La dermatosis cenicienta es una hipermelanosis idiopática con máculas de color azul grisáceo, que fue descrita inicialmente en El Salvador por Oswaldo Ramírez en 1957. Predomina en la población hispana de piel fototipo IV, siendo más común en adultos entre la segunda y tercera década de la vida. Aunque se desconoce la etiología, se han identificado factores predisponentes como la ingesta de nitrato de amonio, benzodiacepinas, exposición a pesticidas y fungicidas como clorotalonil, entre otros. A nivel histopatológico se visualiza degeneración e hiperpigmentación de la capa basal. Clínicamente, el tórax y las extremidades proximales son las áreas anatómicas comúnmente afectadas en esta enfermedad asintomática y de curso crónico. La historia clínica y el examen físico son la base del diagnóstico, así como una biopsia de piel de los bordes activos para confirmar el mismo. Aunque existen diversas opciones terapéuticas, solamente la clofazimina y la dapsona han mostrado eficacia en el tratamiento de la dermatosis cenicienta. El líquen plano pigmentado y la pigmentación macular eruptiva idiopática son dos de los principales diagnósticos diferenciales que el clínico debe considerar.

Ashy dermatoses is an idiopathic hypermelanosis with blue-gray macules, which was first described by Oswaldo Ramírez in El Salvador in 1957. It predominates in the Hispanic population with skin type IV, being most common in adults between the second and third decade of life. Although the etiology is unknown, predisposing factors have been identified as the intake of ammonium nitrate, benzodiazepines, exposure to pesticides and fungicides such as chlorothalonil, etc. Degeneration and hyperpigmentation of the basal layer is the main histopathologycal characteristics. Clinically, the chest and the proximal extremities are the anatomical areas commonly affected in this asymptomatic disease with chronic course. The clinical history and the physical examination are the basis of diagnosis, the biopsy of the skin active borders confirms it. Although there are several treatment options, only dapsone and clofazimine have shown efficacy in the ashy dermatosis treatment. Lichen planus pigmentosus and idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation are two of the main differential diagnoses, the clinician should consider.

Dermatosis cenicienta: revisión y diagnóstico diferencial con otros trastornos pigmentarios idiopáticos / Ashy dermatosis: revision and differential diagnosis with other idiopathic pigmentary disorders

La dermatosis cenicienta es un trastorno pigmentario infrecuente que se presenta en individuos de piel morena, especialmente en centroamericanos. Las lesiones consisten en manchas hiperpigmentadas de coloración gris-azulada, principalmente localizadas en la cara, tronco y brazos. Su principal diagnóstico diferencial debe ser planteado con tres dermatosis pigmentarias de origen idiopático: eritema discrómico perstans, pigmentación macular eruptiva idiopática y liquen plano pigmentoso. Hay consenso en considerar al eritema discrómico perstans como la misma enfermedad, pero con un borde eritematoso transitorio. La pigmentación macular eruptiva idiopática es clínicamente similar, pero sin una dermatitis de interfase al estudio histopatológico, y sólo muestra una pigmentación de la capa basal, incontinencia pigmentaria y melanófagos en la dermis. Finalmente, el liquen plano pigmentoso debe ser considerado como una variedad pigmentada de liquen plano.

Ashy dermatosis is an infrequent disorder of pigmentation, which predominantly occurs in darkly pigmented individuals, specially in central americans. The lesions consist of bluish-gray hyperpigmented patches mainly located on the face, trunk and arms. Its main differential diagnosis must be raised with three idiopathic pigmentary disorders: erythema dyschromicum perstans, idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation and lichen planus pigmentosus. It has been widely accepted that erythema dischromicum perstans is the same disease, but with a transient erythematous border. Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation is clinically similar but without an interfase dermatitis at histopathologic studies, only showing increased pigmentation of the basal layer and pigmentary incontinence and many melanophages in the dermis. Finally, lichen planus pigmentosus must be considered as a pigmented variant of lichen planus.

A Case of Unilateral Ashy Dermatosis

Ashy dermatosis, also known as erythema dyschromicum perstans, is a peculiar, slowly progressive, idiopathic dermal melanosis. In most cases, slate gray- to lead-colored patches are symmetrically distributed over the body. Ashy dermatosis with a unilateral distribution is rare. We report a case of unilateral ashy dermatosis in a 27-year-old Korean man.