Dermatitis cruris pustulosa et atrophicans--a frequent but poorly understood tropical skin condition--a case report from Burkina Faso.

Abstract

Dermatitis cruris pustulosa et atrophicans (DCPA) is a benign inflammatory skin disease of the younger population in the tropics. Although this pustular skin condition of particular topography is frequently seen by dermatologists in tropical countries, its origin remains unknown. We report the case of a young woman with DCPA associated with prurigo nodularis. A bacterial origin has not been demonstrated in this case. Histology showed an intraepidermal neutrophilic pustule with dermal and subcutaneous infiltration by neutrophils and eosinophils forming flame figures. Different pathogenic hypotheses are discussed with special regard to a potential relationship between DCPA and eosinophilic cellulitis.

• Authors: Guido Bens, Frédéric Franck, Georges Diatto, Laure Preney, Hervé Darie, Marc Géniaux
• Journal: International journal of dermatology (Int J Dermatol) Vol. 47 Issue 5 Pg. 473-5 (May 2008) ISSN: 1365-4632 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18412864 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Burkina Faso
• Eosinophils
• Female
• Humans
• Leg Dermatoses (complications, pathology)
• Neutrophils
• Prurigo (complications, pathology)
• Skin (pathology)
• Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous (complications, pathology)