Case Report

A Case of Skin Hypopigmentation Secondary to a Corticosteroid Injection

Authors: Kennedy Okere, MD, Melissa C. Jones, PharmD, BCPS

Abstract

A 47-year-old African-American male presented complaining of Achilles tendon pain. The patient was treated for three weeks with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent with minimal pain relief. The tendon was subsequently injected with triamcinolone acetonide and five months later, the patient presented with an area of hypopigmentation around the injection site. The patient was diagnosed with hypopigmentation secondary to the steroid injection.


Key Points


* Hypopigmentation is an uncommon side effect of corticosteroid injections.


* The etiology of hypopigmentation secondary to corticosteroids is unknown; however, there are some proposed mechanisms.


* In most documented cases, the hypopigmented area began to repigment in less than one year after the steroid was discontinued.


* The risk of hypopigmentation can be minimized by using a short-acting, soluble corticosteroid solution when injecting areas of soft tissue.

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