Transient Acantholytic Dermatosis 

  • Author: Edward J Zabawski Jr, DO; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2012
 

Background

Transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) is not an uncommon condition, but, surprisingly, it was not thoroughly characterized until Grover did so in 1970.[1] While generally accepted to be a benign, self-limited disorder, it is often persistent and difficult to manage; hence, the description of transient is misleading.[2] The presentation can be subtle, or it may closely resemble other pruritic dermatoses. A high index of suspicion for this disease is necessary if the diagnosis is to be made correctly. Furthermore, the histologic features of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) closely resemble those of several other conditions that are clinically distinct, which may add to potential diagnostic confusion.

Next

Pathophysiology

The etiology of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) is unknown. However, a number of factors have been suggested as being potentially causal or exacerbating. The most frequent association is with heat or sweating, and the obstruction of sweat ducts has been postulated to be responsible, although this association has been challenged, citing research that demonstrates that most patients with transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) present in winter, not summer.[3]

Many patients describe preceding exposure to sunlight, although exposure to artificial ultraviolet radiation has not been shown to reproduce the process. Transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) seems to occur more frequently in patients with atopic dermatitis and asteatotic dermatitis, although many individuals with these conditions never develop it. Viral, bacterial, and other pathogens have also been proposed, but no causative role has been established. A number of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) case reports have described an association with lymphoma, but these seem to be in the extreme minority.[4, 5] The exact pathogenesis has not been elucidated.

Previous
Next

Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Exact numbers regarding the prevalence of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) are not available. Because of the clinical similarities with other entities and variable histopathologic findings, the disease is underdiagnosed in nondermatologic settings and probably underdiagnosed overall.

Race

Transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) most commonly affects middle-aged white men, although it may be seen in other ethnic groups, such as Hispanics and blacks.

Sex

Men are affected 3 times more often than women.

Age

Transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) most commonly affects middle-aged men; however, it has been in reported in children.

Previous
Proceed to Clinical Presentation
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Edward J Zabawski Jr, DO  Medical and Surgical Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Clay J Cockerell, MD  Director, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatopathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Clay J Cockerell, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, International Academy of Pathology, International AIDS Society, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Donald Belsito, MD  Professor of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center

Donald Belsito, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dermatology Foundation, New York County Medical Society, New York Dermatological Society, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

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.

Julia R Nunley, MD  Professor, Program Director, Dermatology Residency, Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Julia R Nunley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, Medical Dermatology Society, Medical Society of Virginia, National Kidney Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, and Women's Dermatologic Society

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

  1. Grover RW. Transient acantholytic dermatosis. Arch Dermatol. Apr 1970;101(4):426-34. [Medline].

  2. Streit M, Paredes BE, Braathen LR, Brand CU. [Transitory acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease). An analysis of the clinical spectrum based on 21 histologically assessed cases]. Hautarzt. Apr 2000;51(4):244-9. [Medline].

  3. Scheinfeld N, Mones J. Seasonal variation of transient acantholytic dyskeratosis (Grover's disease). J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 2006;55(2):263-8. [Medline].

  4. Fujita Y, Sato-Matsumura KC, Ohnishi K. Transient acantholytic dermatosis associated with B symptoms of follicular lymphoma. Clin Exp Dermatol. Nov 2007;32(6):752-4. [Medline].

  5. Ishibashi M, Nagasaka T, Chen KR. Remission of transient acantholytic dermatosis after the treatment with rituximab for follicular lymphoma. Clin Exp Dermatol. Mar 2008;33(2):206-7. [Medline].

  6. Kanzaki T, Hashimoto K. Transient acantholytic dermatosis with involvement of oral mucosa. J Cutan Pathol. Feb 1978;5(1):23-30. [Medline].

  7. Fantini F, Kovacs E, Scarabello A. Unilateral transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover's disease) along Blaschko lines. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 2002;47(2):319-20. [Medline].

  8. Liss WA, Norins AL. Zosteriform transient acantholytic dermatosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1993;29(5 Pt 1):797-8. [Medline].

  9. Gilchrist H, Jackson S, Morse L, Nicotri T, Nesbitt LT. Galli-Galli disease: A case report with review of the literature. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 2008;58(2):299-302. [Medline].

  10. Fernández-Figueras MT, Puig L, Cannata P, Cuatrecases M, Quer A, Ferrándiz C, et al. Grover disease: a reappraisal of histopathological diagnostic criteria in 120 cases. Am J Dermatopathol. Aug 2010;32(6):541-9. [Medline].

  11. Helfman RJ. Grover's disease treated with isotretinoin. Report of four cases. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 1985;12(6):981-4. [Medline].

  12. Miljkovic J, Marko PB. Grover's disease: successful treatment with acitretin and calcipotriol. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2004;116 Suppl 2:81-3. [Medline].

  13. Breuckmann F, Appelhans C, Altmeyer P, Kreuter A. Medium-dose ultraviolet A1 phototherapy in transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover's disease). J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2005;52(1):169-70. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
A 54-year-old man with a pruritic eruption on the trunk. Notice the slight lichenification and significant erythema from rubbing that is localized to the central part of the torso. Also note the red-brown papules in the abdominal region.
Close-up view of the abdominal area of a patient with a pruritic eruption on the trunk. Multiple, small, discrete, red-brown papules characteristic of Grover disease are present.
Histopathology of Darier-type Grover disease. A focus of acantholytic dyskeratosis is present in the epidermis with slight epithelial hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, a sign of rubbing as a consequence of the pruritic nature of the disease (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).
Higher magnification reveals the acantholytic dyskeratosis to better advantage. Note the corps ronds and grains (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X400).
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.