Dermoscopic profile of pigmented purpuric dermatosis: new observations

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD) describes a cutaneous eruption that presents with asymptomatic or pruritic macules, and petechiae with red and brown pigmentation. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic method making a more detailed examination possible and provides important clues to many dermatologic conditions. There are few original studies focusing on the dermoscopic aspect of PPD apart from case reports.

To identify dermoscopic findings of pigmented purpuric dermatosis, which will facilitate diagnosis by reducing the use of invasive procedures.

The study included the patients with histopathologically confirmed pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Demographic, clinical and dermoscopic features of all the cases were retrospectively reviewed.

The study enrolled 15 (60%) men and 10 (40%) women. The mean age of the patients was 42 (age range: 28-72). The most common dermoscopic findings were red globules and red dots which were observed in all the cases (100%), followed by coppery brown background (72%), brown lines reticular (40%) and subtle brown dots (40%). The other findings were brown circles (32%), red circles (32%), grey dots (32%), red background (8%), serpentine vessels (8%), rosette structures (8%), thick brown lines (4%), and thick linear vessels (4%).

The characteristic dermoscopic findings of PPD have been defined in the relevant literature. Here we have identified some dermoscopic findings which have not been described previously: red circles, brown circles, rosette structures, light brown background and red background. Dermoscopic examination may facilitate the diagnostic process by reducing the use of invasive methods.