Progressive macular hypomelanosis of the trunk: primary acquired hypopigmentation.
Dermatological practice in Martinique frequently encounters a bizarre skin condition presenting as a progressive and extensive hypomelanosis on the back. The course of this disorder is highly characteristic: it occurs mainly in females from 18-25 years of age, with a progressive development of round, pale, coalescent macules on the back and sometimes on the abdomen. This disease, which does not respond to therapy, spontaneously regresses within 3 to 4 years. Decreased epidermal melanin is the only histological feature. Ultrastructural examination of two cases found that the macular lesions were characterized by a switch from Stage IV single melanosomes (negroid) to small Type I-III aggregated melanosomes (caucasoid). It may thus be stated that the variation in skin coloration in these patients was due to a variation in melanosome size and distribution.
Guillet
G
G
Dermatology Services, CHU Morvan, Brest, France.
Helenon
R
R
Gauthier
Y
Y
Surleve-Bazeille
J E
JE
Plantin
P
P
Sassolas
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008395:Martinique; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008548:Melanosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D014900:West Indies