Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2015 | Case report
Reticulate hyperpigmentation in systemic sclerosis: a case report and review of the literature
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2015
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Introduction
Systemic sclerosis is a systemic connective tissue disease with variable cutaneous presentations. Although pigmentary disturbances have been described in systemic sclerosis, a reticulate hyperpigmentation has only been reported in one case of systemic sclerosis to date.
Case presentation
We describe a previously healthy 51-year-old Thai woman who presented with a reticulate hyperpigmentation affecting her trunk and extremities, together with sclerodactyly and proximal sclerosis, resulting in a new diagnosis of systemic sclerosis.
Conclusions
To date, the pathogenesis of reticulate hyperpigmentation in systemic sclerosis remains unclear. Increased melanin synthesis and altered thermoregulatory mechanism are proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of this presentation. This case represents an unusual cutaneous feature of reticulate hyperpigmentation in the setting of systemic sclerosis.