Review article
Actinic Reticuloid – Photosensitivity or Pseudolymphoma? – A Review
Liborija Lugović-Mihić
Tomislav Duvančić
Mirna Šitum
Josip Mihić
Iva Krolo
Abstract
Actinic reticuloid (AR) or chronic actinic dermatitis is considered a sunlight-induced pseudolymphoma (PSL) on light
exposed areas of the skin, which primarily affects elderly males. The disease is a severe, chronic photosensitive dermatosis,
first described by Ive et al. in 1969. PSL is a group of non-cancerous lymphocytic skin disorders that simulate malignant
lymphomas, but the changes usually spontaneously regress. The clinical appearance of Actinic reticuloid is variable, usually
characterized by an eczematous, pruritic eruption, predominantly present on the head and neck, or other sun exposed
areas, but can involve any area of the body. Thereby, crucial characteristic is photosensitivity, whereat action spectrum involves
UVB, UVA and visible light beyond 400 nm. The disease is considered as PSL which histologically resembles lymphoma
with immunohistochemical analysis of the cutaneous infiltrate revealing presence of activated T cells, numerous
histiocytes, macrophages and B cells. Moreover, the development of malignant (non-cutaneous) T cell lymphoma in the
course of AR has been reported. As the disease has chronic character, it requires significant changes in the patient´s lifestyle
and avoidance of provoking factors such as contact allergens or sources of intense light. Thus AR should be considered
in every patient who presents with persistent, unclear, erythematous skin changes on the face and neck that are related
to sun exposure.
Keywords
actinic reticuloid; chronic actinic dermatitis; photosensitivity; pseudolymphoma
Hrčak ID:
72302
URI
Publication date:
25.9.2011.
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