The diagnosis of exogenous ochronosis is often challenging and requires a high index of suspicion. Herein, we report a case of exogenous ochronosis in a Chinese patient. The condition was caused by the use of bleaching agents, including creams containing hydroquinone. We demonstrate the use of dermoscopy as an invaluable tool for the early recognition of the condition, as well as in the selection of an appropriate site for a skin biopsy.
Alkaptonuria ; Biopsy ; Bleaching Agents ; adverse effects ; China ; Dermoscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; adverse effects ; Male ; Melanosis ; drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Ochronosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Skin ; drug effects ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Adnexa Uteri ; surgery ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Melanosis ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; secondary ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; secondary ; Teratoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery

Melasma is an acquired symmetric hypermelanosis characterized by irregular lightto gray-brown macules and patches on sun-exposed areas. Many therapeutic agents are available but are unsatisfactory. Recently, it has been demonstrated that lincomycin (LM) and linoleic acid (LA) can inhibit melanogenesis in vitro. Our purpose was to investigate the clinical efficacy of topical application of LM and LA in combination with betamethasone valerate (BV) in melasma patients. Fortyseven Korean female adults with clinically diagnosed melasma were enrolled in a 6-week, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients were treated with one application of the vehicle (group A), 2% LM mixed with 0.05% BV (group B), or 2% LM mixed with 0.05% BV and 2% LA (group C) on the face every night. Determination of efficacy was based on the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score and objective assessment (no effect, mild, moderate, or excellent) at intervals of 2 weeks until the end of the study at 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, in comparison with the pre-treatment MASI score, the average MASI score of group C decreased to 68.9%, compared with 98% in group A (p<0.05) and 85.4% in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B. Seven patients (43.7%) in group C revealed more than moderate improvement in objective assessment, compared with none in group A and two patients (12.5%) in group B. There were no significant side effects. Topical application of linoleic acid is considered to be effective in the treatment of melasma patients.
Administration, Topical ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Betamethasone 17-Valerate/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Combinations ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Korea ; Lincomycin/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Linoleic Acid/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Melanosis/*drug therapy/pathology ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Structure ; Ointments