Photoletter to the editor: An eczema-like, pruritic, nonbullous form of bullous pemphigoid

J Dermatol Case Rep. 2015 Jun 30;9(2):55-7. doi: 10.3315/jdcr.2015.1200.

Abstract

We report a case with an unusual manifestation of bullous pemphigoid (BP) in a 57-year-old woman. She presented with a one-month history of pruritus and multiple annular patches with central regression on her trunk and extremities and there were no signs of corresponding internal malignancy. Eosinophilic spongiosis was observed in histopathologic examination and direct immunofluorescence studies revealed a strong linear staining pattern of the basement membrane zone with C3 and IgG. This unusual case indicates that a lack of blisters does not necessarily exclude a diagnosis of BP, and supports previous reports suggesting gyrate erythema can be an initial manifestation of bullous disease.

Keywords: bullous pemphigoid; eczema; nonbullous; pruritus.