[Grover's disease following hemodialysis in a patient with renal failure]

Abstract

A 54-year-old woman with polycystic renal disease and renal failure developed Grover's disease while undergoing renal dialysis. Grover's disease or transitory acantholytic dermatosis is characterized by intensely pruritic, hyperkeratotic, succulent papules and plaques located on the trunk. The pathogenesis is unknown; genetic factors and actinic damage have been implicated. Medications, heat or immunosuppression can worsen the disease. Associations with atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and asteatotic dermatitis have also been described. Differential diagnostic considerations include folliculitis, scabies and dermatitis herpetiformis. Therapeutic options include moisturizing agents and phototherapy, as well as topical and systemic retinoids. There are only few case reports in the literature describing Grover's disease occurring during hemodialysis treatment. All such previous patients have been men; ours is the first woman.