brand logo

Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(9):603-604

Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations.

A 50-year-old man presented with skin lesions on his upper extremities (Figures 1 and 2) that developed two months earlier. He thought they may have appeared following a spider bite. The lesions were located primarily over the dorsal aspects of the hands and consisted of hyperpigmented patches with one visible erosion. The patches were painful but not pruritic.

The patient's medical history included human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, type 2 diabetes mellitus, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. He was not taking any medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Physical examination revealed hyperpigmented patches on the malar region of the face with hypertrichosis (Figure 3). The patches were brownish and not raised.

Question

Based on the patient's history and physical examination findings, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Discussion

The answer is C: porphyria cutanea tarda. Porphyria cutanea tarda is the most common type of porphyria and affects approximately one in 25,000 persons in the United States. It is a result of acquired inhibition of an enzyme (uroporphyrin decarboxylase or uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase) in the heme biosynthesis pathway of the liver.1,2 Porphyria cutanea tarda usually arises spontaneously, although accumulated iron, alcohol use, smoking, hepatitis C virus infection, excess estrogen exposure, and HIV infection are common inciting factors.

Reduced hepatic enzyme activity leads to accumulation of carboxylated porphyrinogens that are subsequently oxidized to photoactive porphyrins.3 Photodamage leads to the characteristic cutaneous features, including increased skin fragility, noninflammatory bullae and vesicles that scar, hyperpigmentation, and milia on sun-exposed areas.4 Increased fragility of the skin leads to erosions and blistering from trivial trauma, commonly on the hands.4 Hirsutism of the face and forearms is also a common finding, whereas sclerodermatous changes are less common.5

Skin biopsy is not necessary for diagnosis. Measuring total porphyrins in plasma or serum is the laboratory evaluation of choice for suspected disease; however, a spot urine sample showing porphyrins may also be used.4 Primary therapies for porphyria cutanea tarda include phlebotomy and low-dose hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is characterized by fragile skin, noninflammatory bullae and vesicles that rupture and scar, and milia.6 However, unlike porphyria cutanea tarda, mucosal involvement occurs in 75% to 92% of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita cases.7

Phytophotodermatitis is an ultraviolet A–induced contact dermatitis manifesting as linear- or bizarre-shaped erythematous patches. It is most commonly caused by photosensitizing compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other plants.8 It is sometimes referred to as “lime disease” because of the rash it can cause on the hands of bartenders who handle limes.

Pseudoporphyria presents as photodistributed fragile skin and noninflammatory bullae and vesicles, which is clinically similar to porphyria cutanea tarda. However, porphyrin abnormalities will not be observed on serum and urine testing.1

ConditionCharacteristics
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisitaCharacterized by fragile skin, noninflammatory bullae and vesicles that rupture and scar, and milia; mucosal involvement
PhytophotodermatitisLinear- or bizarre-shaped erythematous patches; ultraviolet A–induced contact dermatitis commonly caused by photosensitizing compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other plants
Porphyria cutanea tardaPhotodistributed fragile skin with noninflammatory bullae and vesicles that scar, hyperpigmentation, and milia
PseudoporphyriaPhotodistributed fragile skin with noninflammatory bullae and vesicles; normal porphyrin levels on urine and serum testing

The editors of AFP welcome submissions for Photo Quiz. Guidelines for preparing and submitting a Photo Quiz manuscript can be found in the Authors' Guide at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquizinfo. To be considered for publication, submissions must meet these guidelines. Email submissions to afpphoto@aafp.org.

This series is coordinated by John E. Delzell Jr., MD, MSPH, associate medical editor.

A collection of Photo Quiz published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquiz

Continue Reading


More in AFP

More in PubMed

Copyright © 2018 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.  See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.