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. 2011 Jul;56(4):432-4.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.84754.

Seborrheic keratoses in five elderly patients: an appearance of raindrops and streams

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Seborrheic keratoses in five elderly patients: an appearance of raindrops and streams

Ru-Zhi Zhang et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Five Chinese patients were found to have a linear, splayed, vertical pattern of lesions on their back, chest and abdomen. These lesions were clinically and pathologically diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis. The mean age of our patients was 77.6 years. During the follow-up period of 12-20 years, the lesions appeared to increase with age, and no malignant changes were observed on these sites. These patients had no serious underlying medical problems or malignant neoplasm, except for one patient with duodenal ulcer. While we are uncertain as to the cause of this patterning of seborrheic keratoses, we believe that it is distinct from previously reported patterns; this will contribute to research on the pathogenesis of seborrheic keratosis.

Keywords: Distribution; elderly patient; seborrheic keratoses.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Nil.

Figures

Figures 1-4
Figures 1-4
The lesions of seborrheic keratosis on the back, chest and abdomen of four patients. Some lesions looked like clay or a blob of dirt “stuck” on the skin by someone. Their distribution displayed a pattern of raindrop and stream. The color of the lesions varied from pale brown with pink tones to dark brown or black
Figures 5 and 6
Figures 5 and 6
Histopathological examination of skin biopsy showed acanthosis consisting primary of basaloid cells with hyperkeratosis and horn cysts (H and E stain, original magnification ×100)

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