Acute Vitiligo Repigmentation In The Setting Of Suspected Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2022

Publication Title

Ochsner Journal

Abstract

Background: Sarcoidosis is a noncaseating granulomatous disease that predominately occurs in the lungs. Vitiligo is the most common depigmentation disorder worldwide. Both diseases are autoimmune-mediated, suggesting that one could have implications for the other. However, relatively few reports have been published about patients presenting with coinciding symptoms of the 2 diseases. We report the case of a patient who presented with focal repigmentation of vitiligo with suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis. Case Report: A 63-year-old female with a medical history of diffuse vitiligo reported to the emergency department with the chief complaint of right lower extremity weakness and numbness for 1 week. She reported that she had had a chronic productive cough for the prior 4 to 6 months and had unintentionally lost 50 to 60 pounds in the prior 3 months. At that time, she began to notice numerous hyperpigmented macules and patches on both forearms and her face. Chest x-ray and chest computed tomog-raphy demonstrated bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement with multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules. Cytol-ogy and flow cytometry were negative for evidence of B-or T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with evidence of granulomatous inflammation. Conclusion: This clinical presentation suggests a potential interplay between 2 unique disease processes. While both vitiligo and sarcoidosis share common autoimmune etiologies, little data are available about management when they coincide. This case high-lights a patient with 2 seemingly distinct clinical manifestations that could yield further clinical information in the management of both diseases separately and together.

First Page

249

Last Page

252

PubMed ID

36189086

Volume

22

Issue

3

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