Porokeratosis is a specific disorder of keratinization characterized histologically by the presence of a cornoid lamella. Clinically, the basic lesion is a sharply demarcated hyperkeratotic plaquewhich may be linear, punctated, or annular with
central
atrophy.
The etiology of the various types of porokeratosis is unknown. However, heredity, UV radiation, immunosuppression, trauma, burns, and occult infection are known to be precipitating or exacerbating factors.
A 32-year-old female was burnt on her right arm and chest at the age of 12. Several years later, brownish plaques developed in these burn areas. Seven years prior to visiting our clinic, numerous match-head sized, peripherally elevated macules
developed
on the forearms and have gradually spread to the other areas of her upper and lower extremities. The histological findings of two lesions from the burn areas showed the same features including cornoid lamellae in the epidermis and fibrosis in the
dermis. Howerer, the histological finding of a lesion from a non-burn area showed cornoid lamellae in the epidermis without evidence of dermal fibrosis.
We believe our case is the first to be reported in Korea in which porokeratosis arose in previous burn areas. (Kor J Dermatol 1997;35(2) : 396∼400)
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