Linear lymphatic hypopigmentation after intralesional corticosteroid injection: report of two cases

Perilesional and linear hypopigmentation, extending cephalad along the lymphatics, occurred in one patient following intralesional injection of corticosteroid suspension for treatment of a hypertrophic scar, and in a second patient following sub-lesional injection of a soft toe-web corn. Atrophy did not occur. Repigmentation in both patients was complete without specific treatment. Review of the literature and evaluation of these patients suggest that the linear hypopigmentation in these two cases was caused by lymphogenous uptake of the corticosteroid crystals.