A 36-years-old female patient, previously healthy, reported hyperpigmented lesions in the intermammary region, armpits and face. Denied any local symptoms. Lesions had started five years ago and increased in extent over the years. She also complained of facial comedones and visible pores, without any previous treatment. There was a family history of similar lesions – father and paternal grandmother. She denied any systemic symptoms.

On physical examination, there were reticulated brown patches in the presternal area (Fig. 1), and similar small plaques in the inguinal region and the armpits bilaterally. Small slightly atrophic macules were visible on the dorsum of the hands. On the face, comedo-like lesions, dilated pores, and diffuse hyperpigmented plaques all over the face, especially on the forehead (Fig. 2), bilateral malar, perioral and supramandibular regions. She also presents pitted scars on the perioral region.

Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Histopathology evaluation of lesions in the presternal area presented digitiform epithelial proliferation and corneal pseudocysts (Fig. 3).

Figure 3

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Laboratory tests showed no changes.

What is your diagnosis?

Dowling-Degos disease.

The patient was counseled about the genetic nature of the disease; daily use of a topical retinoid was prescribed initially.

Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis, with variable penetrance, that presents a mutation in the KTR5 gene.1 The first signs of the disease usually occur in the third or fourth decades of life.2 It is clinically characterized by follicular hyperpigmentation in flexor areas, such as the neck armpit, antecubital fossa, submammary region, and groin. Pigmentation of the dorsum of the hands may be present when there is an overlap of clinical features of Kitamura's reticulate acropigmentation.3 Additional findings include pitted perioral scars in patients with no prior history of acne, and hyperkeratotic comedo-like papules in the neck and armpits.1 Some patients may report related pruritus.2

The disease is often associated with other dermatoses such as epidermal cysts, keratoacanthomas, hidradenitis suppurativa, seborrheic keratoses, which can be the main complaint in dermatological consultations.4

Histopathology shows moderate hyperkeratosis or orthokeratosis, thinned suprapapillary epithelium, elongation of the papillae with hyperpigmentation of the basal layer. Filiform proliferations of the epidermis usually involve the follicle with a follicular plug. A perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in the papillary dermis and corneal pseudocysts can also be observed.1

Dermatoscopy of the hyperpigmented macules usually reveal a regular arrangement of brownish spots of variable size, characterized by a coarse grid of brown lines on a diffuse, light brown background. Therefore, these findings are not specific and are seen in many other conditions.5

DDD must be differentiated from acanthosis nigricans and Kitamura's reticulate acropigmentation. In acanthosis nigricans, the plaques have a velvet like rather than flattened or minimally lichenified texture, and there are no pitted perioral scars or comedo-like lesions. In Kitamura's reticulate acropigmentation there are reticulate, slightly depressed, pigmented acropigmentation macules on acral areas, especially on the dorsum of the hands and feet; palmar pits or breaks in epidermal ridge pattern.6

Treatment has unsatisfactory results in most cases. Topical therapeutic options include retinoids, hydroquinone, corticosteroids and azelaic acid. Treatment with Er:YAG laser or isotretinoin is also described.

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.