The histopathology of subcutaneous minocycline pigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation associated with prolonged minocycline use is well documented. The histopathology of cutaneous minocycline pigment is characterized by deposition of brown/black, Fontana-Masson, and Perls' positive granules deposited along elastic fibers in the papillary dermis and occurring within macrophages along vessels and eccrine units in the dermis. The subcutis may also be involved; however, the specific subcutaneous findings associated with minocycline hyperpigmentation have not been well established. We present the histopathologic findings of 4 cases of minocycline hyperpigmentation with subcutaneous involvement. Green-gray, flocculent, nonrefractile globules within macrophages were found in the subcutis of all patients. Two of 4 cases exhibited lipomembraneous changes that were also associated with pigment. These distinctive findings may provide additional clues to enable a diagnosis of drug-induced hyperpigmentation to be offered, even in the absence of a clear clinical history.
Bowen
Anneli Ririe
AR
Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. abow@derm.med.utah.edu
McCalmont
Timothy H
TH
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008911:Minocycline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008911:Minocycline