Acral persistent papular mucinosis: a case report and literature review

Acral persistent papular mucinosis is a rare subtype of localized lichen myxedematosus. It shows symmetric, asymptomatic, chronic, ivory to flesh-colored, 2-5 mm sized papules arranged on the dorsa of the hands and extensor aspects of the distal forearms. Thirty-two cases including two from China, appear to fit the proposed diagnostic criteria. We report a 31-year-old Chinese woman who presented with papules on the extensor aspects of her hands and distal forearms. Histopathology revealed a circumscribed area in the upper and mid reticular dermis with splaying of collagen fibers caused by amorphous deposits. The material was mucin, as it stained positively with alcian blue at pH 2.5. The thyroid profile was normal, and there was no evidence for lupus erythematous. The lesions were treated with electrofulguration and resolved leaving mild scars; there has been no recurrence at follow-up after one year. We also review the literature on this rare form of mucinosis.