Dowling-Degos disease: Histological variant and Ultrastructural study

Abstract

Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare genoderrnatosis with autosomal dominant transmission. DDD is clinically characterized by progressive reticulate hyperpigmentation, mostly at the tlexures. Histology usually demonstrated digitate elongation of epidermal rete ridges with variable pigmentation. We report a patient with clinical features of DDD with unusual histology; absence of elongation of rete ridge, as well as an ultrastructural study showing significant melanocytic activity in basal melanocytes by abundant melanosome complex. In addition, we reviewed the literatures of this progressive reticulate hyperpigmentation presentation.