title: Undiagnosed purpura: a case of autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome associated with dermatitis artefacta and pseudo-ainhum.
abstract: A 23-year-old young woman presented with recurrent episodes of painful bruising along with linear erosions on the accessible areas of the body of nine years duration with a pseudo-ainhum of her left nipple for the past three months. Her case history included repeated visits to various physicians at different centers and an extensive investigative profile. A diagnosis of autoerythrocyte sensitization was made on the basis of the clinical history, dermatological examination complemented by a positive autoerythrocyte sensitization test, psychiatric evaluation and absence of any organic cause for her ailment. She was placed on psychiatric management and has remained symptom-free after six months follow-up. The case is reported for its rarity, as well as for the association of autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome with frank dermatitis artefacta and pseudo-ainhum, which to the best of our knowledge has not yet been reported in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Dermatologist, Skin Centre, Base Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: M P S
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sawhney
authors.forename: Gulhima
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009558:Nipples / Q000473:pathology; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011693:Purpura / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D013577:Syndrome