Galli-Galli disease: A case report with review of the literature

Abstract

Galli-Galli disease is a rare variant of the genodermatosis Dowling-Degos disease with the histologic finding of acantholysis. We present the case of a patient who presented with reticulated pigmentary changes in the flexures as well as a pruritic papular eruption and histologic features consistent with Galli-Galli disease. A literature search revealed 3 previous case reports of Galli-Galli disease. These case reports were reviewed and summarized, and the clinical and histologic presentations were compared with those of our patient. In addition, another case report of patients with similar clinical manifestations was found and is presented herein. The differential diagnosis of Galli-Galli disease includes classic Dowling-Degos disease, transient acantholytic dermatosis, Darier's disease, and epidermolysis bullosa with mottled pigmentation. Galli-Galli disease is best considered a subtype of Dowling-Degos disease with clinical and histologic features similar to transient acantholytic dermatosis.