title: Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: We report a case of a 63-year-old man hospitalized for a polymorphous generalized eruption consisting of maculopapules with peripheral scaling, vesicopustules, and ulceronecrotic and crusted lesions measuring 5-20 mm, localized on his trunk and extremities, particularly exuberant in the flexural area. Histopathology showed necrotic keratinocytes with exocytosis of red blood cells and lymphocytes and a dermal perivascular and periadnexal inflammatory infiltrate, composed of CD8+/CD4-/CD30- T cells, indicating the clinical diagnosis of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. He was treated with erythromycin and methylprednisolone reduced gradually over 5 months, with a slow but complete response; the patient was without lesions after 2 years of follow-up. The authors want to remind of this rare entity which may present difficulties in diagnosis and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Neide
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brinca
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manuel Brites
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: José Julião
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tellechea
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonçalo