Abstract A male infant presented to his general practitioner for a routine 6-week check. His parents reported the presence of tan–brown lesions since birth. The marks were uniform in colour, were present on the trunk, scalp and face, and were not overlying bony prominences. There was concern that these lesions represented bruising as a manifestation of nonaccidental injury (NAI), and urgent paediatric review was arranged. He was admitted for investigation of potential NAI, and dermatology consultation was sought. On examination, scattered reddish brown-to-tan macules and papules were noted on the torso and limbs, not overlying bony prominences. Darier sign was negative, although some reactive cutis marmorata was appreciable on the trunk following rubbing of multiple lesions. A diagnosis of urticaria pigmentosa (UP), or cutaneous mastocytosis, was made clinically. Skin biopsies demonstrated an infiltrate of spindled and round mast cells and scattered eosinophils within the superficial and mid-dermis, with immunohistochemistry positive for CD117, consistent with UP. Blood tests during admission showed a normal complete blood count and coagulation screen (including von Willebrand factor), normal renal and liver function, normal lactate dehydrogenase, normal immunoglobulins and normal mast cell tryptase. Cranial ultrasound and liver ultrasound were normal. Mastocytosis is a spectrum of disease characterized by pathological accumulation of mast cells in tissues, including skin, bone marrow and the gastrointestinal tract. Cutaneous mastocytosis can be further classified as maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis, also known as UP, diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis and localized cutaneous mastocytomas. With UP, children typically present in the first 2 years of life with multiple reddish-brown macules, papules and/or plaques distributed anywhere on the body, most commonly the trunk. In darkly pigmented skin, lesions may be hyperpigmented and erythema less appreciable. Darier sign, a transient urticarial response upon gentle rubbing of the skin, is classic and supportive of diagnosis, although it is not always demonstrable. UP has rarely been reported to be misdiagnosed as NAI. Other ‘bruising’ mimics include disorders of coagulation, Valsalva petechiae, vasculitis, acute haemorrhagic oedema, incontinentia pigmenti, phytophotodermatitis, coin rubbing, spooning, cupping, Mongolian spots, morphoea, neuroblastoma and ink stains, some of which may be unfamiliar to paediatricians or dermatologists. Dermatologists have a crucial role in recognizing cutaneous manifestations of NAI in children, which commonly includes bruising, particularly in infants who are not yet mobile. While consideration of NAI is important in all children presenting for medical care, this case highlights the importance of considering underlying dermatoses to avoid unwarranted distress and unnecessary investigations.
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