A Case of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting with Generalized Exfoliative Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

We describe a 56-year-old Korean man with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) associated with persistent generalized exfoliative dermatitis (GED). He developed multiple scattered flaccid bullae on the erythematous base with scales over his face, upper trunk and extremities, with mucosal involvement for 4 months. Due to myasthenia gravis he also suffered from ptosis, general weakness, and weight loss of 10 kg for a month. A computed tomography and histopathological examination of the chest revealed a mass in the anterior mediastinum which was confirmed as thymoma. During the course of disease, his erythematous patch with crust lesions became confluent, and then GED developed. After total thymectomy, GED waxed and waned for 2-years and eventually disappeared. Herein, we report an interesting case of PNP associated with persistent GED for at least 2 years, even though the patient had been treated with surgery and medication.