Role of dermal melanocytes in cutaneous pigmentation of stasis dermatitis: a histopathological study of 20 cases

Stasis dermatitis is an itchy, scaly, and hyperpigmented condition of the lower leg due to venous insufficiency. Hemosiderin and/or melanin have been considered responsible for the brown pigmentation. However, there are not sufficient histopathologic studies. In this retrospective study the hospital...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Korean medical science 2002-10, Vol.17 (5), p.648-654
Main Authors: Kim, Daehwan, Kang, Won Hyoung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Dermatitis - etiology
Dermatitis - metabolism
Dermatitis - pathology
Dermis - metabolism
Dermis - pathology
Female
Humans
Hyperpigmentation - etiology
Hyperpigmentation - metabolism
Hyperpigmentation - pathology
Leg Dermatoses - etiology
Leg Dermatoses - metabolism
Leg Dermatoses - pathology
Male
Melanins - metabolism
Melanocytes - metabolism
Melanocytes - pathology
Middle Aged
Venous Insufficiency - complications
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Summary:Stasis dermatitis is an itchy, scaly, and hyperpigmented condition of the lower leg due to venous insufficiency. Hemosiderin and/or melanin have been considered responsible for the brown pigmentation. However, there are not sufficient histopathologic studies. In this retrospective study the hospital records and biopsy slides of 20 patients were reviewed to determine the pathogenetic mechanisms of brown pigmentation in stasis dermatitis. Fifteen were men (75%) and 5 were women (25%) with a mean age of 46.2+/-8.2 yr (18-76), mean age at onset of 43.4+/-18.0 yr (17-73), and a mean duration of the disease 2.8+/-2.5 yr (0.25-10). All patients had varicose vein and complained of pruritus. On histopathologic evaluation, two cases out of 20 (3 skin biopsy specimens from 25 samples) showed dermal melanocytes containing melanin, and incontinence of melanin pigment was observed in 5 cases, which indicates that melanin pigments from epidermis could contribute to cutaneous pigmentation in stasis dermatitis. However, the existence of dermal melanocytes in two cases cannot be explained because normally the dermis contains no melanocytes. Further studies concerning the role of iron or inflammatory cytokines on the development of dermal melanocytes should be conducted.
ISSN:1011-8934
1598-6357
DOI:10.3346/jkms.2002.17.5.648