Ann Dermatol.  2009 Nov;21(4):432-434. 10.5021/ad.2009.21.4.432.

A Case of Unilateral Ashy Dermatosis

• Chun JS
• Hong SK
• Seo JK
• Lee D
• Sung HS
• Hwang SW

• KMID: 2156515
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2009.21.4.432

Abstract

Ashy dermatosis, also known as erythema dyschromicum perstans, is a peculiar, slowly progressive, idiopathic dermal melanosis. In most cases, slate gray- to lead-colored patches are symmetrically distributed over the body. Ashy dermatosis with a unilateral distribution is rare. We report a case of unilateral ashy dermatosis in a 27-year-old Korean man.

Keyword

Ashy dermatosis; Erythema dyschromicum perstans; Unilateral

MeSH Terms

Adult
Erythema
Humans
Melanosis
Skin Diseases

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Brown patches surrounded by erythematous patches are in a linear distribution along Blaschko's line on the left side of the trunk.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Histopathologic examination of the brown patch revealed mild hyperkeratosis, irregular rete ridge elongation, hyperpigmentation, basal vacuolar degeneration, pigment incontinence, and superficial infiltrate of lymphohistiocytes (H&E, ×100). (B) Increased melanin granules in the epidermis and some pigment incontinence in the dermis (Fontana-Masson stain, ×100).

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