Pigmentatio maculosa eruptiva idiopathica: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pigmentatio maculosa eruptiva idiopathica must be differentiated from other skin disorders with hyperpigmentation in pediatric practice in order to avoid unnecessary treatment, as spontaneous resolution is expected. Following a literature review, we underline the importance of spontaneous regression as an additional clinical feature for this disease.

A global consensus statement on ashy dermatosis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, lichen planus pigmentosus, idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation, and Riehl's melanosis

“…Histology is characterized by hyperpigmentation of the basal layer of the epidermis and prominent dermal melanophages without visible basal layer damage or lichenoid inflammatory infiltrate and normal mast cell counts. Stinco and colleagues reviewed 26 cases and in the majority of them, the condition typically regressed in several months or in a few years with no treatment required . The pigmented macules in most reports were smaller in size (ranging from 5 to 25 mm) compared to the typical larger macules of AD.…”

Clinicopathologic challenge

“…Nevertheless, LPP is clinically similar to the asymptomatic brown macules of idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation. The latter condition, however, classically occurs in children and adolescents and may spontaneously remit over months to years 6 . Biopsy results show no basal layer damage, although interfacial dermatitis may disappear in the late stage of any lichenoid tissue reaction 7 .…”

Ashy dermatosis: a review

“…Spontaneous resolution is expected within several months or years, which is similar to ashy dermatosis in children, but differs from ashy dermatosis in adults. However, the pigmented macules in idiopathic eruptive macular hyperpigmentation are smaller in size (ranging from 5 to 25mm) as compared to the larger macules (3mm or larger) and patches seen in ashy dermatosis [39].…”