CME

Continuing Medical Education

Hyperpigmented Scar Due to Minocycline Therapy

Patterson JW, Wilson B, Wick MR, Heath C

Cutis. 2004;74:293-298.

A 20-year-old woman presented with a heavily pigmented scar on the left lower abdomen following excision of a benign compound nevus. Reexcision showed an organizing scar with pronounced hemosiderinlike pigment deposition and no residual melanocytic lesion. Results of further histopathologic workup showed positive staining with both Perls stain for iron and Fontana-Masson stain. These findings led to further questioning of the patient, which revealed a history of minocycline therapy—information that had not been provided during her initial evaluation. Hyperpigmented scars may result from minocycline ingestion. We present a review of the literature, with particular regard to the possible mechanisms of minocycline hyperpigmentation and the differential diagnosis of hyperpigmented scars.

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