Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans Workup

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 22, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

All cases of erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP), to date, have resulted in negative laboratory study results, which include the following:

  • Bacterial, viral, and mycologic cultures
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Glucose studies
  • Liver function test
  • Urinalysis
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Imaging Studies

Radiographic studies in erythema dyschromicum perstans patients have not shown abnormalities.

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Histologic Findings

The biopsy specimen is obtained as much to rule out other diagnoses as to confirm that of erythema dyschromicum perstans because the erythema dyschromicum perstans histologic pattern is relatively nonspecific. One should attempt to obtain a biopsy sample of the border of an active macule, which usually demonstrates mild basal cell layer vacuolar degeneration overlying an upper dermis with a mild perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrate and increased melanophages.

Distinguishing ashy dermatosis from lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is not always easy. A Mexican study of 20 patients with erythema dyschromicum perstans and 11 with LPP provided clear clinical delineation between the 2 often histologically indistinguishable disorders.[20] LPP has pruritic brownish black macules or patches, with no active border, on the face and the flexor folds. Erythema dyschromicum perstans does not involve mucosal surfaces, where LPP does. In favor of erythema dyschromicum perstans being either a subset of idiopathic lichen planus or a lichenoid drug eruption are reports of lichen planus and erythema dyschromicum perstans occurring in the same patient, the clinical resemblance of erythema dyschromicum perstans to atrophic lichen planus, and similar histologic patterns with immunofluorescence in both erythema dyschromicum perstans and LPP.

The border of an active erythema dyschromicum perstans lesion and the border of an LPP lesion often both show hyperkeratosis, a thinned epidermis, hydropic degeneration of the basal layer, pigment incontinence, and a perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate (see the images below). Colloid bodies are occasionally seen in both.

Photomicrograph of a lesion on the patient's back Photomicrograph of a lesion on the patient's back shows slight basilar vacuolar change, extensive pigment incontinence, dilatation of dermal lymphatics, and lack of inflammation (hematoxylin & eosin, original magnification X24.8). Reprint with permission from Cutis 1986; 37: 42-44. Higher-power photograph shows slight vacuolar basiHigher-power photograph shows slight vacuolar basilar change, marked dilatation of intradermal lymphatics, incontinence of melanin pigment, and lack of inflammation (hematoxylin & eosin, original magnification X238). Reprint with permission from Cutis 1986; 37: 42-44.

Immunopathologic study of erythema dyschromicum perstans shows immune-associated (Ia) antigen expression in keratinocytes and strong OKT 4 and OKT 6 staining of Langerhans cells. It also shows dermal infiltration by T lymphocytes of both helper-inducer and suppressor-cytotoxic phenotypes, a pattern commonly seen with lichen planus. CD36 expression is evident in the viable upper epidermis on lesional keratinocytes, which may imply a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Beneath, in the dermis, the cellular infiltrate has been found to express CD69 and the cytotoxic cell marker CD94. In addition, as with lichen planus, the colloid bodies stained immunoglobulin G positive.

Ultrastructural findings demonstrate immature, small, irregular-shaped melanosomes in melanocytes and peripheral localization of melanosomes in keratinocytes.[21]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Santiago A Centurion, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Santiago A Centurion, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Shyam Verma  MBBS, DVD, FAAD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Virginia; Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, State University of New York at Stonybrook, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Shyam Verma is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey P Callen, MD  Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee

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.

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Ash-colored, partially confluent, macular lesions over the patient's back. Reprint with permission from Cutis 1986; 37: 42-44.
Close-up photograph shows ash-colored macular lesions and lack of an inflammatory border. Reprint with permission from Cutis 1986; 37: 42-44.
Photomicrograph of a lesion on the patient's back shows slight basilar vacuolar change, extensive pigment incontinence, dilatation of dermal lymphatics, and lack of inflammation (hematoxylin & eosin, original magnification X24.8). Reprint with permission from Cutis 1986; 37: 42-44.
Higher-power photograph shows slight vacuolar basilar change, marked dilatation of intradermal lymphatics, incontinence of melanin pigment, and lack of inflammation (hematoxylin & eosin, original magnification X238). Reprint with permission from Cutis 1986; 37: 42-44.
 
 
 
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