Updated diagnosis criteria for confluent and reticulated papillomatosis: a case report

Abstract

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CRP), a rare skin disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by hyperkeratotic papules confluent in the central area and reticulated hyperpigmented patch in the peripheral area1. Since Gougerot and Carteud first identified CRP in 1927, this disease has been diagnosed by using clinical courses, histological findings, and treatment results. However, other diseases, such as fungal infection or other pigmentary skin diseases, were frequently misdiagnosed as CRP because of the lack of diagnostic criteria for CRP. Therefore, Davis et al.1 proposed the diagnostic criteria for CRP on the basis of a study on 39 patients, as follows: (i) clinical findings of scaly brown macules and patches, with at least some appearing reticulated and papillomatous; (ii) involvement of the upper trunk and neck; (iii) negative fungal staining of scales; (iv) no response to antifungal treatment; and (v) excellent response to minocycline. However, a few cases of CRP sparing the upper trunk have also shown the typical histopathological findings, clinical findings, and treatment responses of CRP.