The spectrum of reticulate pigment disorders of the skin revisited

Abstract

Within the group of classical reticulate pigment disorders of the skin, Galli-Galli disease (GGD), Dowling-Degos disease (DDD), Kitamura's disease (RPK), Haber's syndrome (HS), and reticulate acropigmentation of Dohi (RAD) are included and distinguished clinically and histopathologically. The clinical appearance of the reticulate pigment disorders of the skin is similar, with slight differences in age of onset and associated disorders. The histopathologic features of reticulate pigment disorders of the skin are comparable, with the exception of the unique hallmark of suprabasal acantholysis, which can be observed exclusively in GGD. Based on a critical discussion, we recommend using major and minor defining criteria for diagnosing skin lesions compatible with the reticulate pigment dermatoses of the skin. Herein we discuss a unifying nosological concept to provide straightforward diagnoses of the reticulate pigment disorders of the skin with a therapeutic impact.