A case of bullous transient acantholytic dermatosis

Clinical features and treatments of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover's disease): a systematic review

Grover's disease (GD) is an itchy acantholytic disorder occurring on the trunk of middle-aged men. Based on the best evidence, this study aimed to provide a summary of the clinical characteristics, disease course and treatments of GD. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines for original articles published between 01.01.1970-08.15.2019, assessing clinical features and/or any type of intervention for GD. A total of 263 articles were retrieved, and 116 original reports that were deemed relevant and satisfied the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis (88 case reports, 26 case series and two retrospective reviews). From these articles, 317 patients were identified, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.95. The mean age was 59 years (range 11-92). Typical lesions were itchy papules and vesicle-papules, generally located on the trunk. Spontaneous resolution within one week to eight months was described in 42 % of cases. Topical corticosteroids (TCSs) were the most frequent treatment (response rate of 70 %) followed by systemic retinoids and corticosteroids with response rates of 86 % and 64 %, respectively. According to the results of this review, TCS appears to be the most frequently employed treatment, and we suggest TCS as first-line therapy. Second-line treatments could include systemic retinoids or systemic corticosteroids.

Case of Bullous Grover Disease

ABSTRACT

Grover disease is an acquired acantholytic dermatosis affecting middle-aged men, with pruritus being the most commonly associated symptom. Grover disease tends to wax and wane and can last between several months to several years. Although Grover disease is usually papular, we report here a patient who presented with mainly vesicular and bullous lesions on his back originally concerning for folliculitis, contact dermatitis, or disseminated herpes simplex viral infection. Skin biopsy demonstrated acantholysis, suprabasal blisters, and a predominantly lymphocytic dermal infiltrate. Tzanck preparation for giant cells, immunohistochemistry for viral markers, and direct immunofluorescence staining were all negative. A diagnosis of bullous Grover disease was made based on clinicopathological correlation. Minocycline was recommended based on report of its efficacy. However, patient declined treatment and his rash self-resolved within a couple of months. This case brings awareness to this atypical variant of Grover disease and encourages physician to include Grover disease in their differential of vesiculobullous disorders.

Grover disease: review of subtypes with a focus on management options

Grover disease (GD) is a benign eruption that causes a papulovesicular rash on the trunk and proximal extremities. It often resolves spontaneously but can follow a more chronic and fluctuating course that may last several years. Although the etiology remains unknown, several associated triggers have been identified including heat and sweating, cool and dry air, renal failure, malignancy, and the initiation of several drugs. Since the disease tends to resolve on its own, management is aimed at disease prevention and symptomatic relief. First-line therapy includes topical steroids and vitamin D analogues with adjuvant antihistamines. In more severe cases that are refractory to less aggressive therapy, systemic corticosteroids, retinoids, and phototherapy may lead to successful resolution. Novel therapies are few and have little evidence but involve innovative use of light therapy and immune modulators. Herein, we review the literature and new trends of GD with a focus on established and novel treatments.

Coexistence of Pemphigus Foliaceus and Grover Disease After a Radical Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma

The differential diagnosis of Grover disease (GD) includes pemphigus foliaceus. However, the focal nature of the histologic findings and negative direct immunofluorescent point to the diagnosis of GD. It has been associated with a variety of systemic and cutaneous diseases, but its association with other primary acantholytic disorders has been rarely documented. In this article, we describe the first case of GD in association with pemphigus foliaceus.

Atypical features and systemic associations in extensive cases of Grover disease: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Grover disease is an acantholytic disorder that typically occurs on the trunk of older individuals, primarily white men, in association with heat and xerosis. Cases with extensive and/or atypical distributions have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature characterizing the population, morphology, associations, and disease course of extensive or atypical eruptions of Grover disease.

METHODS

A systematic literature review identified 50 articles with 69 cases.

RESULTS

Patient age ranged from 14 to 83 years (mean age, 56 ± 15), with 71% of patients being male and 29% female. Areas of involvement included the trunk (90%), upper and lower extremities (63% and 61%, respectively), face/scalp (28%), neck (21%), groin (11%), buttocks (8%), and axillae (6%). The most common associations included a history of malignancy (61%), recent chemotherapy (38%), and recent transplant (20%).

LIMITATIONS

Extensive cases with typical clinical morphology may not have been examined by biopsy or reported; thus, this review may have publication bias toward more severe or atypical presentations.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater variability exists among patients affected by extensive or atypical Grover disease than among those with typical disease. Malignancy is a common association, and there may be a role for immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of extensive or atypical Grover disease.

Successful treatment of transient acantholytic dermatosis with systemic steroids

A sixty-year-old man, developed 2-5 mm sized, hyperemic, itchy papules, vesicles, erosions and crusts on hyperemic base on his chest, abdomen, back, gluteal region, and proximal sites of his upper and lower extremities. The direct and indirect immunoflurescence tests were negative. Histology revealed extensive acantholysis in the epidermis in the following forms: pemphigus vulgaris-like suprabasal acantholysis, Darier-like acantholytic dyskeratosis with corps ronds, Hailey-Hailey-like suprabasal clefts, and pemphigus foliaceus-like superficial acantholysis with spongiosis. Using systemic steroids, topical drying, and reepithelising therapy, the patient was cured. He was symptom-free the first, fourth, and thirteenth months after finishing steroid therapy. We review the literature and the new subdivision of the disease according to the histological and clinical features.