Ochronosis Workup

  • Author: Craig G Burkhart, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 28, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

Most laboratory testing for alkaptonuria detects the alterations in the urine. Increased urinary levels of homogentisic acid (HGA) are characteristic of this metabolic disorder.

Elevated levels of HGA in the urine, blood, and other tissues can be determined by specific enzymatic and colorimetric tests, direct spectrophotometric methods, high-performance liquid chromatographic testing, and molecular techniques.

Other simple urinary studies include darkening of urine with the addition of sodium hydroxide, black reaction with FeCl3, and blackening of photographic emulsion paper with alkali added to urine.

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Imaging Studies

In patients with ochronotic arthropathy, radiography and MRI help identify characteristic and diagnostic features, including articular space narrowing up to osseous ankylosis, calcifications, osteophytosis, and reactive sclerosis of the articular surfaces.[13, 15, 16] Bone scintigraphy can be useful in evaluation, correlation with the clinical course, and follow-up of such patients.[17]

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Procedures

Dermoscopy has proved useful in exogenous ochronosis. In addition to melasma findings, dermoscopy reveals amorphous densely pigmented structures obliterating some follicular openings.[18]

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Histologic Findings

Skin biopsy samples with hematoxylin and eosin staining reveal yellowish brown – pigmented bodies in the dermis that represent altered widened elastic fibers, as well as in macrophages, endothelial cells, apocrine glands, and epidermal basement membranes. The deposits do not lose their pigmentation after 3 days in 10% hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, the ochronotic pigment reacts with all routine stains for melanin. Such deposits can also be seen in cartilage and elastic tissue.

Exogenous ochronosis reveals ochronotic collagen fibers leading to the formation of ochronotic colloid milium.[19] The dermal cell infiltrate is variable but often granulomatous. Transfollicular elimination of these ochronotic fibers has been reported.

Note the images below.

Upon microscopic examination, amber-colored, oval Upon microscopic examination, amber-colored, oval structures are detected in the mid-to-upper dermal tissues (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40). Upon higher magnification (of Image 3), ochronosisUpon higher magnification (of Image 3), ochronosis reveals homogenization and swelling of collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X100).
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Craig G Burkhart, MD, MPH  Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, The University of Toledo College of Medicine; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Ohio State University College of Medicine

Craig G Burkhart, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Ohio State Medical Association, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Craig N Burkhart, MD, MSBS  Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Craig N Burkhart, MD, MSBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP  Georgetown Dermatology and Georgetown Dermpath

Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Royal Society of Medicine, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Warren R Heymann, MD  Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Ochronosis revealing a perioral bluish black macular eruption after hydroquinone use.
Periorbital discoloration due to excessive use of topical bleaching preparations containing hydroquinone.
Upon microscopic examination, amber-colored, oval structures are detected in the mid-to-upper dermal tissues (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).
Upon higher magnification (of Image 3), ochronosis reveals homogenization and swelling of collagen bundles (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X100).
 
 
 
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