Dermoscopic profile of pigmented purpuric dermatosis: new observations

INTRODUCTION: 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. AIM: To identify dermoscopic findings of pigmented purpuric dermatosis, which will facilitate diagnosis by reducing the use of invasive procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included the patients with histopathologically confirmed pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Demographic, clinical and dermoscopic features of all the cases were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: 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%). CONCLUSIONS: 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.