Ann Dermatol.  2012 Aug;24(3):348-350. 10.5021/ad.2012.24.3.348.

Type B Pigmentary Demarcation Lines of Pregnancy Involving the Anterior Thighs and Knees

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. jylee@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Pigmentary demarcation lines are abrupt transition lines between the areas of deeper pigmentation and the areas of lighter, normal pigmentation. Type B pigmentary demarcation lines involve the posterior medial portion of the lower extremities and are more commonly associated with pregnancy. We present a case of pigmentary demarcation lines of pregnancy with erythematous changes, involving both the anterior and posterior aspects of the lower extremities.

Keyword

Erythema; Knee; Pigmentation; Pregnancy; Thigh

MeSH Terms

Erythema
Knee
Lower Extremity
Pigmentation
Pregnancy
Thigh

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Bilateral, symmetrical, well-demarcated, erythematous pigmented patches from the buttocks down to the popliteal fossae, the anterior thighs, and knees.

  • Fig. 2 Basal layer pigmentation and dilation of small vessels with moderate perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the upper dermis (H&E, ×100, ×400).

  • Fig. 3 Three weeks after delivery, the lines had mostly faded out.


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