Clear Cell Acanthoma: a Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histological Review
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Clear Cell Acanthoma: A Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histological Review John Howard, DO,* Andrei Gherghina, DO, MS,** Jacquiline Habashy, DO, MS,*** Angela Poulos Combs, DO, FAOCD, FAAD,**** Stanley Skopit, DO, MSE, FAOCD, FAAD***** *Dermatology Research Fellow, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami FL **Dermoscopy Fellow, Skin and Cancer Associates, Plantation, FL ***Traditional Rotating Intern, PGY1, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL ****Dermatopathologist, Global Pathology/Aurora Diagnostics, Miami Lakes, FL *****Program Director, Larkin Community Hospital/NSU-COM Dermatology Residency, South Miami, FL Disclosures: None Correspondence: Jacquiline Habashy, DO; [email protected] Abstract Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is an uncommon, benign epidermal tumor that may be easily misdiagnosed on a clinical basis alone. Although biopsy is commonly performed for diagnosis, perceptive clinicians may suspect a CCA with the use of clinical and dermoscopic findings. We present a case of a suspected clear cell acanthoma confirmed by biopsy along with a clinical, dermoscopic and histological review of the condition. Introduction arranged in a linear “string of pearls” distribution, of lesions can range from approximately 3 mm to CCA was first described in 1962 and was also revealing the characteristic dermoscopic vascular 20 mm, and they can slowly grow for up to 10 years. pattern seen in clear cell acanthoma (CCA) When closely examining the surface of the lesion, known as “Degos acanthoma” and “acanthome 3,4 cellules claires of Degos and Civatte.”1 There are (Figure 2). vascular puncta are present, which easily bleed currently no known risk factors, and the etiology is following minor trauma. These lesions are usually unknown. It is theorized that the cause may be an Discussion found on the lower extremities in middle-aged to CCA is a rare, benign lesion that is oftentimes elderly adults, with both sexes affected equally.5,6 inflammatory reaction secondary to an unknown difficult to diagnose with clinical observation alone. trigger.2 Yet further investigation is necessary CCA shares clinical features that overlap with Although this is the most common presentation, to conclude the actual cause. CCA typically a variety of other lesions, making the differential there are a variety of clear cell acanthoma types, presents as an erythematous, solitary papule with diagnosis extremely broad. Dermoscopically, creating a large list of differential diagnoses. These a peripheral scale, usually on the lower extremities. however, this lesion has unique and specific features, Because this description clinically coincides with a which greatly improves diagnostic accuracy. The multitude of other lesions, our aim is to describe dermoscopic features show a stereotypical vascular Figure 3 how dermoscopy can distinguish CCA from its pattern composed of dotted vessels distributed differentials, making diagnosis biopsy-free. linearly in a “string of pearls” configuration. Case Report Clinical Findings A 68-year-old white female presented to our CCAs are generally solitary, asymptomatic, red or outpatient clinic for a full-body skin exam. Her brown, dome-shaped papules or nodules. They may past medical history was significant only for be covered by scaled edges or appear moist. The size chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She denied personal or family history of skin cancer. Physical exam revealed a sharply demarcated, 0.3 cm x 0.3 Figure 2 cm, shiny, pink, moist, blanchable papule with a collarette scale located on the left anterior distal shin in conjunction with varicose veins (Figure 1). Figure 3. H&E (10x): CCA demonstrating Dermatoscopic evaluation showed dotted vessels circumscribed area of psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia with cytoplasmic pallor, overlying parakeratosis containing neutrophils and papillary dermal telangiectasia. Figure 4 Figure 1 Figure 2. Dermoscopic presentation of CCA Figure 4. H&E (20x): Shave biopsy showing under contact polarized light with isopropyl abrupt border between pale and normal cells in Figure 1. Clinical presentation of CCA. alcohol immersion medium. epidermis. Page 29 CLEAR CELL ACANTHOMA:A CLINICAL, DERMOSCOPIC AND HISTOLOGICAL REVIEW types include giant, polypoid, pigmented, eruptive, cause, one case report showed regression of CCA 6 2 References atypical and cystic. after a two-month trial of calcipotriol. In the 1. William J, Berger T, Elston D, Odom R, case of our patient, shave excision combined with Andrews G. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: In addition, there have been three recent literature electrofulguration was used for diagnosis and Clinical Dermatology. Philadelphia: Saunders reports detailing “atypical CCA,” which some treatment. Elsevier, 2006. authors argue is a malignant counterpart of CCA. These cases were clinically described as Conclusion 2. Gaetano S, Giovanni P. Topical Calcipotriol CCAs have a large differential including many erythematous, moist nodules, all of which were as a New Therapeutic Option for the Treatment lesions that are less benign and occur with much located on the face. Dermoscopically, these lesions of Clear Cell Acanthoma. An Bras Dermatol. higher frequencies in the population. Under these portrayed a dot-like pattern of globular capillary 2014;89(5):803-5. vasculature, similar to benign CCA. The literature conditions, the diagnosis of CCA is usually made is still pointing toward calling them benign lesions, histologically, after a biopsy has been performed. 3. Zalaudek I, Kreusch J, Giacomel J, Ferrara G, secondary to the lack of recurrence. Further Since the features of this lesion are dermoscopically Catricalà C, Argenziano G. How to diagnose 7 research is required for atypical CCA. distinct, this may afford the clinician more diagnostic nonpigmented skin tumors: a review of vascular confidence. The use of routine dermoscopy may structures seen with dermoscopy: part II. Differential Diagnosis therefore reduce the number of biopsies performed Nonmelanocytic skin tumors. J Am Acad Dermatol. CCA has a vast differential diagnosis that includes on this benign dermatologic entity. 2010 Sep;63(3):377-86; quiz 387-8. actinic keratosis, lichenoid keratosis, pyogenic granuloma, dermatofibroma, basal cell carcinoma, 4. Miyake T, Minagawa A, Koga H, Fukuzawa squamous cell carcinoma, inflamed seborrheic M, Okuyama R. Histopathological correlation keratosis, eccrine poroma, clear cell hidradenoma, to the dermoscopic feature of “string of pearls” in 7 amelanotic melanoma, and psoriasis. When clear cell acanthoma. Eur J Dermatol. 2014 Jul- considering non-pigmented skin lesions such as Aug;24(4):498-9. these, dermoscopic vascular structures are often helpful in making a correct diagnosis.1 Among this 5. Tempark T, Shwayder T. Clear Cell Acanthoma. wide differential base, clear cell acanthomas are Clin Exp Dermatol. 2012;37(8):831-7. unique in their dermoscopic distribution of dotted or globular vessels, arranged in a curvilinear pattern. 6. Fine RM, Chernosky ME. Clinical Recognition of Clear Cell Acanthoma. Arch Dermatol. Diagnosis 1969;100:559-63. CCA may be suspected on physical exam, especially when combined with the clues and patterns 7. Lin C, Lee L, Kuo T. Malignant Clear Cell visualized with a dermatoscope. Confirmatory Acanthoma: Report of a Rare Case of Clear Cell diagnosis of clear cell acanthoma requires a skin Acanthoma-Like Tumor With Malignant Features. biopsy. Dermoscopically, these lesions are set apart Am J Dermatopathol. 2016 Jul;38(7):553-6. from their differentials by the pattern of their vasculature, rendering a skin biopsy practically 8. Ardigo M, Buffon R, Scope A, Cota C, unnecessary. Under a dermatoscope, clear cell Buccini P, Berardesca E, et al. Comparing in vivo acanthomas portray pinpoint vessels in a linear reflectance confocal microscopy, dermoscopy, and pattern, described as pearls on a string.8 histology of clear-cell acanthoma. Dermatol Surg. 2009;35:952-9. Histopathology Typically, CCAs are characterized by well- 9. Husein E, Cachaza J, Fernandez J. Dermoscopy demarcated epidermal hyperplasia made up of large of Clear Cell Acanthoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. keratinocytes and basal cells full of a glycogen-rich 2011;64(2):AB77. cytoplasm positive to periodic-acid-Schiff staining. An abundance of densely packed, dilated capillaries is seen in a well-demarcated distribution that correlates with the dermoscopic vascular features or red dots and globules outlined above. Parakeratosis, neutrophilic exocytosis and mild spongiosis are also present (Figures 3 and 4).1,6 In the atypical variant of CCA, histological findings consist of cytological atypia of tumor cells with enlarged nuclei, some of which show mitotic figures. In one study, these tumor cells were positive for p63.7 Management and Therapy Management of a solitary CCA lesion is by excisional removal. This can be done through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, standard surgical excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, cryotherapy, electrofulguration, curettage and carbon dioxide laser. For cases of multiple or larger lesions, cryotherapy and carbon dioxide laser have been successfully used.6 In addition, in line with a theorized inflammatory reactive HOWARD, GHERGHINA, HABASHY, COMBS, SKOPIT Page 30.