Acquired bullous acrodermatitis enteropathica as a histologic mimic of pemphigus foliaceus in a patient on parenteral nutrition

Dermatol Online J. 2017 Jul 15;23(7):13030/qt2w1240vk.

Abstract

Acquired zinc deficiency can develop as a consequence of poor nutritional intake or from dependence on total parenteral nutrition. Acquired zinc deficiency dermatitis classically manifests with erosions and scaly plaques in a periorificial and acral distribution. We present a case of a woman on parenteral nutrition who presented with bullous acrodermatitis mimicking pemphigus foliaceus histopathologically. This case highlights clinical and histopathologic variants of zinc deficiency that may lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Acrodermatitis / diagnosis*
  • Acrodermatitis / etiology
  • Acrodermatitis / pathology
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Parenteral Nutrition / adverse effects*
  • Pemphigus / diagnosis*
  • Pemphigus / pathology
  • Zinc / deficiency*

Substances

  • Zinc

Supplementary concepts

  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica