Dermoscopy of “Lichenoid Pseudovesicular Papular Eruption on Nose”

“Lichenoid pseudovesicular papular eruption on nose” (LIPEN) is a newly described distinct clinicopathological entity as it differs from other facial papular disorders.[1] Though its exact nosological status is not clear, it has been probably linked to actinic lichen nitidus or micropapular polymorphous light eruption. Here, we wish to describe a similar case along with its dermoscopic findings.

A 40-year-old male presented with multiple asymptomatic red-colored raised lesions over the nose from the last 1 year. There was no history of photosensitivity, seasonal variation, or aggravation to food or emotional stimuli. There was no history suggestive of hyperhidrosis on the nose, insect bite, facial flushing or burning, and any new drug intake. There were no systemic complaints. His medical and family history were noncontributory. On cutaneous examination, there were multiple slightly erythematous, translucent, coalescing pseudovesicular papules prominently involving the tip, dorsum of the nose, nasal alae, philtrum, and ear lobules [Figure 1a]. Dermoscopy showed multiple brown and grey dots and globules which were more concentrated around eccrine openings and follicular openings. There were pseudoreticular network, few follicular plugs, patchy white scales, and background erythema [Figure 1b]. Histopathological examination showed dense vaguely nodular aggregates of lymphocytes and many histiocytes, focal vacuolar degeneration of basal cell layer with occasional colloid bodies, and prominent pigment incontinence [Figure 2a-c]. Final diagnosis of lichenoid pseudovesicular papular eruption was made.

Figure 1.

(a) Multiple grouped erythematous, translucent, monomorphic pseudovesicular papules over the nose. (b) Dermoscopy (Dermlite™ DL4, 3Gen Inc., San Juan Capistrano, CA; 10× magnification; polarized mode) showed multiple brown and grey dots and globules (red arrow) which were more concentrated around eccrine openings in the center. There were pseudoreticular network (blue arrow), a few follicular plugs (black arrow), patchy white scales (green arrow), and background erythema

Figure 2.

(a) Histopathological examination showed dense aggregates of inflammatory cells in the upper dermis. (H and E, 4×). (b) Histopathology showed dense aggregates of lymphocytes in the upper dermis and pigment incontinence. (H and E, 20×). (c) High power view showed focal basal cell vacuolization, pigment incontinence, and lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in the dermis. (H and E, 40×)

Lichenoid pseudovesicular papular eruption manifests as asymptomatic or sometimes pruritic monomorphic, pseudovesicular, grouped, skin-colored to slightly erythematous papules predominantly involving the tip of the nose, nasal alae, philtrum, and the adjoining cheeks. Histopathology is characterized by the presence of dense, focal lymphoid infiltrate restricted to the upper dermis with basal cell damage and atrophy of the overlying epidermis. The lesions are chronic in nature, and topical tacrolimus and sunscreens may be beneficial.[1] Our case had similar clinical and histopathological features. In addition, our patient had involvement of ear lobules also. This entity can be confused with other dermatoses like granulosa rubra nasi, granulomatous rosacea, cutaneous sarcoidosis, polymorphic light eruption, lichen nitidus, and eccrine hidrocystoma, etc., Though these dermatoses can be differentiated on the basis of clinical features and histopathology but if the patient is not willing for biopsy, then dermoscopy can be used as an easy noninvasive tool for the diagnosis. Table 1 shows dermoscopic findings of these disorders [Table 1].[2,3,4,5,6] In LIPEN, multiple brown and grey dots and globules represent the melanin pigment at the dermo-epidermal junction and in the dermis, respectively. These findings, however, need to be validated in larger patient groups.

Table 1.

Clinical differentials of “Lichenoid pseudovesicular papular eruption” with dermoscopy findings[2,3,4,5,6]

Disease	Dermoscopy findings	Histopathology corelate
Polymorphic light eruption	Ring-shaped scales	Scale, crust seen a top the stratum corneum
Granulosa rubra nasi	Discrete round-to-oval pink and red structureless areas and absence of vascular structure	Dermal nodular inflammatory collection with prominent vascularity.
Cutaneous sarcoidosis	Diffuse or localized, structureless orangish areas and well-focused linear or branching vessels	Orangish areas represent granulomas and because granulomas push the dermal vessels toward the skin surface, they look more focused.
Granulomatous rosacea	Multifocal orangish areas with vascular polygons	Granulomas with vascular dilatation
Lichen nitidus	Multiple, white, well-circumscribed, circular areas along with an indistinct brown shadow reflected through these white circles	Brownish shadow corresponds to the inflammatory infiltrate enveloped by the acanthotic rete ridges which represent white circular areas.
Eccrine hidrocystoma	Molluscoid- appearing clear cysts, with a hypopyon-like appearance in darker lesions.	Unilocular cyst in the dermis

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The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient (s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initial s will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.