Corymbiform cutaneous disorders in pediatric dermatology: Exploring this pattern of presentation beyond secondary syphilis

Pediatr Dermatol. 2024 Jan-Feb;41(1):184-186. doi: 10.1111/pde.15467.

Abstract

"Corymbiform" is a term found in medical literature as early as 1876 to describe a central larger lesion with smaller surrounding lesions, leading to the appearance of an irregular border. While the term in current medical literature most often describes a possible morphology of secondary syphilis, the authors have noted this pattern presenting in other cutaneous conditions. We present a commentary on the corymbiform pattern in dermatology including a series of photographs of cutaneous disorders presenting in a corymbiform morphology in pediatric patients. While the term corymbiform is not commonly used in the present-day dermatologic literature, increased recognition and use of this term may aid in the recognition of various dermatologic diagnoses presenting in a less common morphology and may also lend to increased fluidity of dermatologic descriptions in the literature.

Keywords: corymbiform; lichen sclerosus; morphology; nevus; syphilis.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dermatitis*
  • Dermatology*
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous*
  • Syphilis* / diagnosis

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, secondary