title: Macular pigmentation of uncertain aetiology revisited: two case reports and a proposed algorithm for clinical classification.
abstract: Ashy dermatosis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, lichen planus pigmentosus and idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation are various types of acquired macular hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin described in literature. However, a global consensus on the definitions of these entities is lacking. We report two cases of acquired macular (hyper)pigmentation of uncertain aetiology diagnosed as ashy dermatosis and attempt to clarify the various confusing nosologies based on existing literature. We infer that acquired small and large macular pigmentation of uncertain aetiology should be considered separate from that associated with lichen planus. We also propose a diagnostic algorithm for patients with acquired macular hyperpigmentation.
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Western Dermatology, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chandran
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sujith Prasad
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kumarasinghe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: ashy dermatosis; erthema dyschromicum perstans; idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation; lichen planus pigmentosus