Porphyria Cutanea Tarda - DermAtlas - Dermatology Image Atlas

Contributor

Greg Hosler, MD, PhD

Diagnosis

porphyria cutanea tarda

Body Site

leg hand

Age

73 years

Pigmentation

light

Organization

scattered

Color

brown

Morphology

papule

Pattern

acral (centripetal - extremity predominant)

Comments

This is a pretty typical presentation for porphyria cutanea tarda. The pathology is great for it, but identical pathology can be seen with other porphyrias and pseudoporphyria. Immunofluoresence studies (not performed in this case) can aid in distinction from other pauci-inflammatory subepidermal vesiculobullous dermatoses with deposition along the BMZ and around papillary dermal vessels. Porphyrin studies are recommended for more definitive diagnosis.

Description

This view of the cleft demonstrates degenerating keratinocytes and basement membrane eosinophilic material hanging from the roof, the so-called caterpillar bodies.

Image Added

9/2/2008 22:09:00

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Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

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