Practice Essentials
Pseudoatrophoderma colli is an unusual persistent dermatosis characterized by the presence of pigmented macules and plaques with a wrinkled atrophic appearance, involving the neck and the upper part of the trunk. [1]
Becker and Muir [2] reported the first case of pseudoatrophoderma colli in 1934. Since then, only single cases of this condition have been described; however, pseudoatrophoderma colli is likely more common than has been reported. [3, 4]
Prognosis
Pseudoatrophoderma colli is a benign disease with no associated mortality or morbidity. The disease tends to spread gradually with partial regression and intervals, persisting for years or decades. Spontaneous clearing was reported in 1 patient.
Diagnostics
Laboratory test results are within the reference range.
Also see Histologic Findings.
Treatment
Variable responses to diverse options including ultraviolet light, vitamin A, lactic acid, and minocycline have been described. [5] In the past, therapy for pseudoatrophoderma colli included the use of a quartz lamp, keratolytics, topical corticosteroids, superficial radiation, and oral vitamin A. Spontaneous clearing was reported in 1 patient. Kauh et al treated a patient with 5% lactic acid in hydrophilic ointment, with relief of itching and scaliness and a decrease in pigmentation. [6]
Pathophysiology
The nature of the disease remains uncertain. Some authors suggest that vitamin A deficiency may be a contributing factor to the cause of this condition. In the past, pseudoatrophoderma colli was considered a subvariety or a transitional form of confluent and reticulate papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud, [7, 8, 5] or a variant of parapsoriasis. Reports of familial cases of pseudoatrophoderma colli support the theory that it is an autosomal dominant dermatosis and a single disease entity. [9, 6]
Etiology
The cause of the condition is unknown.
Vitamin A deficiency has been believed to be a possible factor contributing to the cause of pseudoatrophoderma colli.
Some authors previously regarded it as a form of parapsoriasis or an epidermal nevus.
Pseudoatrophoderma colli was also considered a variant of papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud.
Epidemiology
Pseudoatrophoderma colli is rare, with only 10-20 cases reported. No clear racial predilection is described.
All patients described in the literature, except one, [10] are females. The reported cases of pseudoatrophoderma colli are in patients aged 14-45 years.
