[Vitiligoid achromias and severe atopic dermatitis. Apropos of 4 cases]

Four patients with important and disabling atopic dermatitis persisting during adulthood have presented leucodermia in certain areas of eczema. As melanosomes and melanocytes have totally disappeared in these regions, this depigmentation corresponds thus to an achromia. Clinically, we noted macular achromia with hyperpigmented border of special topography since touching pleat regions initially present eczema lesions: anterior face of wrists and footnecks. Slight lichenification is noted in achromic regions. In spite of many analogies with vitiligo, we differentiate this achromia from vitiligo on the basis of absence of familial post-history and absence of new localisations after 5 to 6 years cause. A review of depigmentations described during atopic dermatitis does not show similar facts. Depigmentation induced by local steroid therapy does not give such clinical and ultrastructural aspects. In 3 patients, there was no local application of depigmenting agent. In one case, 8-oxyquinoleine was applied transiently. Vitiliginous achromias of pleat regions initially presenting important atopic dermatitis are probably due to multifactorial factors: possible factors are inflammation and secondary epidermal modification due to local steroid therapy and may be some excipients. Being a rare situation in atopy, we have registered it only 14 times in 860 followed atopic dermatitis. The study of series of atopic dermatitis followed on a long-term basis should allow to evaluate the frequency of such incidents and the respective role of aetiological factors with we suspect.