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PlayStation purpura

Susan J Robertson1, Jane Leonard, Alex J Chamberlain

  • 1Department of Dermatology, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia. drsjrobertson@gmail.com

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology
|August 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Gaming-induced finger lesions in a teen resolved after stopping play. Dermoscopy showed a parallel ridge pattern, usually linked to melanoma, but here caused by repetitive trauma from a game controller.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Medical Devices
  • Adolescent Medicine

Background:

  • Repetitive trauma can cause skin changes.
  • The parallel ridge pattern on dermoscopy is a key diagnostic feature.

Observation:

  • A 16-year-old boy presented with asymptomatic pigmented macules on his index fingers.
  • Dermoscopy revealed a homogenous reddish-brown pigment in a parallel ridge pattern.

Findings:

  • The lesions were attributed to repetitive trauma from a Sony PlayStation 3 vibration feedback controller.
  • Complete resolution occurred after a period of gaming abstinence.

Implications:

  • The parallel ridge pattern, while often associated with acral lentiginous melanoma, can be seen in benign conditions like subcorneal hematoma.
  • This case highlights a novel, trauma-induced cause of pigmented macules in adolescents related to video gaming devices.

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