Atrophoderma worm-like: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Atrophodermia wormlike (syn: vermiform acne, atrophodermia of the face netted symmetrical, reticular scar-erythematous folliculitis, etc.). Etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. The presence of family cases indicates a possible role of hereditary factors. Some authors point to the similarity of vermicular atrophodermia and erythema. Clinically there are closely located foci of atrophy, mostly follicular, 1 to 3 mm in size and about 1 mm deep, separated by narrow strips of unchanged skin, which gives the foci a network-like character resembling honeycomb honeycombs. There may be a few comedones, whiteheads, follicular plugs, surrounded by erythema mainly at the onset of the disease. Sometimes pigmentation is observed. The foci are located in the cheek region, as a rule, symmetrically. Cases of unilateral or widespread location of lesions are described. The disease begins in childhood, less often in adolescence, chronic course with slow progression and stabilization of the process to the period of puberty. It is possible to associate with other congenital anomalies and hereditary diseases: Marfan syndrome, neurofibromatosis, congenital heart defects, mental retardation.

Pathomorphology. There are follicular hyperkeratosis, atrophic changes in the epidermis and hair follicles with the formation of small horny cysts. In the dermis, limited peri-follicular and perivascular mononuclear filtering infiltrates are noted, focal rarefaction of elastic fibers, expansion of capillaries, especially around the follicles and in the subepidermal regions.

[1], [2], [3]