Original Article

Large, Nonhealing Scalp Ulcer Associated With Scarring Alopecia and Sclerodermatous Change in a Patient With Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

Inglese MJ, Bergamo BM

Cutis. 2005;76:329-333.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disorder caused by deficient activity of a liver enzyme that leads to the accumulation of photoactive metabolites in the skin. The initial clinical presentation commonly includes mechanical fragility of the skin and blisters in sun-exposed areas. Sclerodermatous skin changes and scarring alopecia are described in up to 20% of patients. Although these unique skin changes have been reported in the literature, information regarding nonhealing ulcers of extraordinary size is lacking. We report a unique cutaneous manifestation of PCT that is not well documented: unusually large, nonhealing ulcers in the setting of sclerodermatous skin changes and scarring alopecia.

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