Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria

Abstract

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria is a clinically heterogenous disorder. We report two unrelated Indian patients with dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria, who had generalized and progressive reticulate hyper- and hypo-pigmentation of the skin. The oral mucosa and tongue also showed mottled pigmentation. Intriguingly, the palms and soles were also affected with a diffuse hyper-pigmentation interspersed with spotty de-pigmented macules. Dystrophic nail changes with pterygium formation were seen in one case. Histopathology revealed a variable degree of pigmentary incontinence. Although the precise aetiology of this disorder is not yet known, the clinicopathological findings implicate an inherent abnormality of melanosomes or melanin processing.