CASE REPORT
Acquired Brachial Cutaneous Dyschromatosis with Coexisting Pigmentary Disorders: A Report of Two Cases with Clinicopathologic Findings
Majarael O. Del Villar, Johannes F. Dayrit
ABSTRACT: Acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis (ABCD) is an uncommon pigmentary disorder characterised by reticulated hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules and patches on the dorsal forearms. It predominantly affects postmenopausal women and has been associated with chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure and, in some reports, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis). We report two cases of ABCD in the Philippines, highlighting its coexistence with facial iatrogenic dyschromia in one patient and idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) in the other, raising the possibility of shared contributory factors despite these conditions representing distinct disease entities. Two 60-year-old Filipino women with Fitzpatrick skin phototype (FSP) IV presented with progressive reticulated hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules and patches on the bilateral dorsal forearms. Histopathological evaluation of the forearm lesions in both patients demonstrated marked basal layer hyperpigmentation, sparse superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates, and prominent solar elastosis, consistent with ABCD and chronic UV-induced photodamage. In Case 1, Melan-A immunohistochemistry of the forearm lesion demonstrated increased melanocyte density with an irregular distribution along the basal layer, supporting melanocytic hyperactivity. Concomitant facial pigmentary changes were consistent with iatrogenic dyschromia. In Case 2, concomitant discrete hypopigmented macules on the lower extremities were clinically and histopathologically consistent with IGH. These cases highlight the importance of correlating clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in the evaluation of ABCD and provide further clinical observations supporting its proposed etiopathogenesis and possible association with concomitant pigmentary disorders. Management may focus on melanogenesis-modulating therapy and strict photoprotection to address pigmentary changes and minimise further pigmentary alterations.
Keywords: Acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis, Dyschromia, Cutaneous pigmentary disorders, Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, Facial dyschromia
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