Pityriasis Rotunda Workup

  • Author: Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 24, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

Scrapings of pityriasis rotunda skin lesions can be examined using potassium hydroxide mount and sent for fungal culture to rule out tinea corporis. Examination with a Wood light is useful in cases suggestive of extraflexural erythrasma.

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Imaging Studies

For pityriasis rotunda, use history and physical examination findings directed toward any underlying systemic diseases to guide further laboratory and imaging studies.

Consider investigations into the possibility of hepatocellular carcinoma in black South African patients with pityriasis rotunda.

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Procedures

Skin biopsy is often useful to help exclude other diseases listed in Differentials.

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Histologic Findings

Mild hyperkeratosis and a reduced or absent granular layer are found. See the image below.

Classic histology for pityriasis rotunda demonstraClassic histology for pityriasis rotunda demonstrating mild hyperkeratosis and a reduced granular layer in the epidermis.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC  Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, Director of Dermatology Residency Program, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry; Founder and Director, Acne Clinics of Canada, Inc; Teledermatologist, Telederm Canada, Inc

Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Canadian Dermatology Association, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Pacific Dermatologic Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Andrei I Metelitsa, MD, FRCPC  Assistant Clinical Professor, Section of Dermatology, University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Canada

Andrei I Metelitsa, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Canadian Dermatology Association, and Canadian Medical Protective Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Andrew Lin, MD, FRCPC  Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta

Andrew Lin, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James W Patterson, MD  Professor of Pathology and Dermatology, Director of Dermatopathology, University of Virginia Medical Center

James W Patterson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Dermatopathology, Royal Society of Medicine, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

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.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

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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Nearly perfectly round, slightly hyperkeratotic, hyperpigmented, asymptomatic plaque on the trunk.
Classic histology for pityriasis rotunda demonstrating mild hyperkeratosis and a reduced granular layer in the epidermis.
 
 
 
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