Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation induced by chemotherapy: a systematic review.

Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation (SSH) describes increased skin pigmentation that develops in the area immediately overlying the vessels through which chemotherapeutic drugs are administered. While SSH can be cosmetically distressing and there are no definitive management options, the literature is severely limited and the variations in clinical presentation, risk factors, and histopathology of SSH across patients are not well understood. We aimed to systematically summarize characteristics from current available data, and thus improve SSH awareness and management. A literature search was conducted in PubMed using specific eligibility criteria through the end of December 2022. Included articles focused on patients who experienced SSH after chemotherapy infusion. Study quality was assessed using a modified Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine quality rating scheme. Of the 41 articles identified by literature search, 24 met eligibility criteria. Two additional articles were identified through the reference sections of retrieved articles, for 26 articles total. All articles were case reports, representing 28 patients total. Locations of SSH were mostly in the forearm near the site of injection (85%), and the most common associated symptom was erythema. Histopathologic analysis was available for half of cases, the majority of which were inflammatory in nature. The most common inflammatory pattern observed was a vacuolar/lichenoid interface dermatitis. Duration of SSH ranged from days to > 1 year after the chemotherapy was stopped. Six (21%) patients were managed with topical steroids and oral vasodilators, six (21%) patients switched to central venous infusion rather than peripheral infusion, five (18%) patients received only supportive care, three (11%) patients received venous washing with chemotherapy, three (11%) patients stopped chemotherapy, and one (4%) patient reduced the chemotherapy dosage. Ten (36%) patients attained complete resolution, seven (25%) had SSH that was near resolution/fading, and three (11%) had persistent hyperpigmentation. Although SSH often spontaneously resolves once the chemotherapeutic agent is stopped, it can persist in some patients and cause significant distress. As the literature is severely limited and there are no definitive treatments, additional research using more standardized definitions and methods of assessments is necessary to improve characterization of SSH and evaluate potential interventions.

Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery: An Observational Study.

IMPORTANCE: Functional and cosmetic outcomes following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) are poorly studied in individuals with skin of color (SOC). Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) may be long-lasting and highly distressing. SOC individuals are particularly susceptible to PIH following procedures.  Objective: To characterize factors that contribute to the development of PIH following MMS in SOC. DESIGN: This retrospective study included 72 SOC individuals with 83 cases of keratinocyte carcinoma treated with MMS between August 2020 and August 2021 at a single medical center in the Bronx, New York. RESULTS: Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation following Mohs micrographic surgery was more common in Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) IV to V (48.0%) compared to FST I to III (18.2%; P=0.006). Grafts and granulation resulted in higher rates of PIH compared to linear repairs and flaps (87.5% vs 30.7%; P=0.003). Cases with postoperative complications resulted in higher rates of PIH compared to cases without (81.8% vs 29.2%; P=0.001). In a subset analysis of linear repairs, polyglactin 910 as a subcutaneous suture produced a higher rate of PIH compared to poliglecaprone 25 (46.2% vs 7.1%; P=0.015).  Conclusions and Relevance: Individuals with SOC (FST IV to V) are more likely to develop PIH following MMS. Grafts and granulation lead to PIH more often than linear repairs and flaps. Postoperative complications significantly increase the risk of PIH. Surgeons should consider these risk factors during surgical planning in an effort to mitigate PIH in SOC individuals. Studies with larger sample sizes are indicated.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(5):316-321. doi:10.36849/JDD.8146.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced hyperpigmentation of the skin and bull's-eye maculopathy in rheumatic patients: a case report and literature review.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is used as a traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it can cause serious adverse reactions, including hyperpigmentation of the skin and bull's-eye macular lesions. Here, we present a case of HCQ-induced hyperpigmentation of the skin and bull's-eye macular lesions in a patient who received HCQ for RA. A 65-year-old female patient developed blurred vision and hyperpigmentation of multiple areas of skin over the body for one month after 3 years of HCQ treatment for RA. Based on clinical presentation, ophthalmological examination and dermatopathological biopsy, a diagnosis of drug-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation and bullous maculopathy of the right eye was made. After discontinuation of HCQ and treatment with iguratimod tablets, the hyperpigmentation of the patient 's skin was gradually reduced, and the symptoms of blurred vision were not significantly improved. We also reviewed the available literature on HCQ-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation and bull's-eye macular lesions and described the clinical features of HCQ-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation and bull's-eye macular lesions. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware of early cutaneous symptoms and HCQ-associated ophthalmotoxicity in patients with rheumatic diseases on HCQ sulphate and should actively monitor patients, have them undergo regular ophthalmological examinations and give appropriate treatment to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.

Pigmentary Changes in a Woman With Oral Lichen Planus.

A woman in her 60s presented with oral lichen planus on hands and cheeks since childhood and also present in her parent and sibling. What is your diagnosis?

Comparing the Efficacy and Tolerability of Moderate to Severe Hyperpigmentation and Skin Unevenness.

Dyschromia is the result of irregular facial pigmentation. These cutaneous manifestations can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected, especially among females and skin of color. In this randomized, double-blinded, two-cell, single-center, 16-week clinical study, all subjects had moderate to severe (scores 4-9 on the modified Griffiths Scale) hyperpigmentation and skin unevenness of the face such that approximately 20% of subjects had post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), 40% had overall mottled hyperpigmentation, and 40% had superficial melasma (Superficial Melasma was determined by Wood's Lamp Assessment). Study participants received either Product A (proprietary new formulation - Cysteamine HSA) or Product B (current marketed product - Cyspera®) and used the test product either in the morning or at night, beginning with every other day application, and then advanced to every day, or as tolerated. The results revealed that both Product A (Cysteamine HSA) and Product B (Cyspera®) had statistically significant improvement in facial hyperpigmentation and skin unevenness, however, Product A (Cysteamine HSA) had better tolerability results for scaling, peeling, burning, stinging, erythema, and dryness, indicating that Product A (Cysteamine HSA) outperformed Product B (Cyspera®). J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(1):1260-1265.     doi:10.36849/JDD.7584.

Characteristic Dermatoscopic Features of Hyperpigmented Macules on the Faces of Young Children.

The aim was to describe the characteristic dermatoscopic features of hyperpigmented macules on the faces of young children. Sixteen patients with typical clinical presentations of hyperpigmented macules on the faces of young children were included in this study. The lesions were evaluated using a dermatoscope. The clinical and dermatoscopic features were analyzed and summarized. There were 12 boys and 4 girls enrolled in the study. The hyperpigmented macules had an age of onset ranging from 1 to 18 months (mean, 6.12 months). The hyperpigmentation was distributed on the forehead and/or temple, as follows: forehead (n = 8 [50%]); temple (n = 3 [18.8%]); and both sites (n = 5 [31.2%]). Fifteen patients (93.7%) had pseudoreticular pigmentation, 1 patient (6.3%) had reticular pigment with pseudoreticular pigment, and 100% had erythema and linear/branching vessels. Light brown pseudoreticular pigment and linear vessels were shown to be the 2 major dermatoscopic manifestations of hyperpigmented macules on the faces of young children.

Optical Coherence Tomography Features of Macular Hyperpigmented Lesions without Intraretinal Hyperreflective Foci in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of hyperpigmented lesions in the absence of intraretinal hyperreflective foci (IHRF) on OCT in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed OCT images of eyes with intermediate AMD (iAMD) and macular hyperpigmentation (HP) on color fundus photograph (CFP) but without IHRF on OCT in the corresponding location. The most prominent or definite HP was selected for analysis. The infrared reflectance (IR) image registered with the CFP, and the location corresponding to the HP lesion were defined on the IR image. The location of the HP on the corresponding OCT B-scan was assessed for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation, acquired vitelliform lesion (AVL), abnormal retinal pigment epithelium + basal lamina (RPE + BL) band reflectivity, RPE + BL band thickening, as well as interdigitation zone (IZ), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) disruption. RESULTS: 49 eyes (39 patients) were included in this study. Forty-six (94%) of the hyperpigmented lesions showed a thickened RPE + BL band. RPE + BL band reflectivity was increased in 37 (76%) of the lesions. RPE + BL band thickening, however, was not correlated with RPE + BL band reflectivity (p-value = 0.31). Either thickening or hyperreflectivity of the RPE + BL band was present in all cases. Twenty (41%) lesions had evidence of ELM disruption, 42 (86%) demonstrated EZ disruption and 48 (98%) had IZ disruption. Five (10%) HPs demonstrated AVL. Among cases with RPE elevation (15 cases, 31%), 10 were classified as drusen, 2 as drusenoid PEDs, and 3 as fibrovascular PEDs. CONCLUSIONS: Thickening and/or hyperreflectivity of the RPE + BL band commonly correspond to regions of macular hyperpigmentation without IHRF in eyes with iAMD.