ACTINIC RETICULOID - A CHRONIC DERMATOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND HISTOLOGICAL RESEMBLANCE TO LYMPHOMA

SUMMARY.— Ten elderly male patients with severe persistent photosensitivity of unknown cause are described. The clinical presentation was that of an intense eczematous eruption affecting exposed sites but spreading elsewhere. Frequent episodes of erythroderma were characteristic and in some cases the marked thickening and ridging of the exposed skin simulated a lymphoma. In contrast to most other photodermatoses the photosensitivity extended through the u.v. to the visible spectrum. A wide range of histological changes were noted, in several instances closely resembling lymphoma because of the intensity and pleomorphism of the infiltrate. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved