A Rare Case of Duodenal Melanosis: Case Report

Rana, Navpreet; Minhas, Umair; Mahl, Thomas C.

doi:10.7759/cureus.10475

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The term "melanosis" is defined as an "excessive pigmentation of part of the body owing to a disturbance in melanin pigmentation" in Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary [28]. The term "pseudomelanosis" should therefore be applied to pigmentations that may resemble melanin deposition but with the demonstration of a different type of underlying pigment [9,29]. The two terms are not synonyms, as true melanosis in different organ sites refers to different clinical settings and has different implications [30,31]; however, they are widely used as synonyms in cases of diffuse pigmentation of the colon associated with excessive laxative use, with deposition of lipofuscin (melanosis coli) [32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Duodenal Pseudomelanosis: A Literature Review

et al. 2021

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Duodenal pseudomelanosis (also known as pseudomelanosis duodeni) is a rare endoscopic incidental finding defined by a pigmentation limited to the apex of the intestinal villi, which requires histological confirmation. While its exact pathogenesis is still poorly understood, it appears free from clinical consequences. This condition is believed to be associated with oral iron intake, antihypertensive drugs containing a sulfur moiety (i.e., hydralazine, furosemide), and several chronic diseases (i.e., hypertension, end-stage renal disease, diabetes). However, the exact prevalence of these treatments and comorbidities among patients with duodenal pseudomelanosis is not clearly defined. Several case reports and case series about duodenal pseudomelanosis have been published in recent years. In this review, we aimed to clearly define its endoscopic and microscopic presentation; its epidemiology, associated comorbidities, and drugs; the most useful special histochemical techniques used to classify the nature of the pigmentation; and the most relevant differential diagnoses. In addition, by considering our findings, we also formulated a number of hypotheses about its pathogenesis.

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