Abstract:
Background: Idiopathic atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (IAPP) usually manifests as one or multiple depressed and hyperpigmented patches, with a predilection to the trunk. No diagnostic changes are usually seen on histology. Elastic stains often reveal no abnormalities. Objective: To review our cases of IAPP, describe their clinical and histological findings and compare them with the literature. Methods: Retrospective review of IAPP cases who presented to our institution between 1994 and 2006. Results: From a total of 16 patients, only 19percent displayed hyperpigmented lesions, while 81percent had either hypopigmented (9-16) or skin-colored (4-16) lesions. The sites predominantly affected were the lower extremities (62.5percent), followed by the upper extremities and trunk. Only in one patient was IAPP co-existent with morphea. Histology revealed no diagnostic abnormalities; however, elastic stains showed a spectrum of changes ranging from normal to severe diminution and fragmentation of elastic fiber network. Conclusions: Our study shows several new aspects of IAPP. Clinically, the lesions were most commonly hypopigmented and involved predominantly the extremities. Histologically, IAPP exhibited a spectrum of alterations in elastic fibers. The most prevalent form of IAPP in our country seems to be unassociated with morphea. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2008.