Progressive Disseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis: a Case Report with a Family History in Three Generations

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis is the most common form of porokeratosis in adults, which develops in the third or fourth decade of life, but may also occur later or earlier, more frequently in females, particularly in countries with high sun exposure. Lesions are numerous, uniform, superficial with central atrophy, demarcated by a distinct peripheral ridge, and usually found on sun exposed areas or elsewhere. The disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. We present a 57-year-old retired woman. Her initial skin changes, affecting the face, developed in her thirties, and they have not changed their features since. In the following years, changes developed on the extensor surface of her arms and legs, with more prominent erythema, and then also on other parts of the body, including palms and soles, presenting as dark brown pigmented patches. Her mother had similar changes, and her daughter, who lives abroad, also has them. On examination, the patient presented with facial lesions, patches 2-3 mm wide, with peripheral hyperpigmentation and a pale center. There were multiple, 2-3 mm wide, dark brown lesions on the extremities and trunk. The lesions were either flat or with atrophic center with darker filiform corneal rim. Pathohistolgical examination revealed a "cornoid lamella", which is pathognomonic for the diagnosis of porokeratosis. Auxiliary diagnostic methods were also used - dermoscopy and Gentian violet staining. The patient was advised to avoid sun exposure and to apply photoprotective sunscreens. In conclusion, this is a case report of a disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis that affected three generations of a family. Our patient developed lesions on palms and soles as well. A review of available world literature shows that this is the second case report of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis with palmoplantar involvement.