What's Your Diagnosis?

A Girl With an Asymmetric Itchy Rash Over the Right Axilla and Right Upper Chest

Volume 58 - Issue 4 - April 2018

Authors:
Alexander K. C. Leung, MD; Benjamin Barankin, MD; and Joseph M. Lam, MD

Citation:
Leung AKC, Barankin B, Lam JM. A girl with an asymmetric itchy rash over the right axilla and right upper chest. Consultant. 2018;58(4):131-133. 

 

A previously healthy 20-month-old girl presented with a 1-week history of erythematous pruritic papules that had originated over the right axilla and upper chest and had extended to involve the right arm, leg, back, and the contralateral body.

Two weeks prior to the eruption, she had a runny nose and cough that had lasted for a few days. Her history was otherwise unremarkable, and she was not on any medications. Her other family members were unaffected.

Physical examination revealed erythematous papules over the chest, back, arms, and legs, with preferential involvement of the right side of the body, and coalescent at places around the right axilla. The rest of the physical examination findings were unremarkable. In particular, there was no regional lymphadenopathy.

Unilateral Laterothoracic Exanthem

 

 

 

Answer: Unilateral Laterothoracic Exanthem

Unilateral Laterothoracic Exanthem

Also known as superimposed lateralized exanthem or asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood, unilateral laterothoracic exanthem is a distinctive skin eruption characterized by its unilateral and abrupt onset and asymmetric location, and that it begins close to the axilla/groin and later progresses to the lateral trunk and extremities and, in the later stages, to the contralateral side.1,2

The condition was first described by Brunner and colleagues, who reported on 75 young children in Chicago with “a new papular erythema of childhood” that had erupted unilaterally near the axilla and subsequently had extended to the trunk and arm.3 Some authors prefer the term asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood, because the exanthem is not always unilateral and is not always over the laterothoracic area.4 However, the condition also occurs in adults.1,5 Thus, the term superimposed lateralized exanthem is more preferable, because the exanthem does not always remain unilateral, is not restricted to the laterothoracic or periflexural area, and is not exclusive to children.1,6,7 In spite of this, the term unilateral laterothoracic exanthema, coined in 1992 by Bodemer and de Prost,8 remains more commonly used.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The exact incidence is not known, since the literature on this condition is very limited. We suspect that the condition is more common than is generally appreciated. The disorder is more prevalent in the white population than in dark-skinned individuals.5,9,10 Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem occurs most commonly between 6 months and 4 years of age, with a peak age of onset between 2 and 3 years.9,11,12 Occasionally, the condition has been reported in adults.1,5,6,13-15 The female to male ratio is approximately 2 to 1.2.10 The condition occurs year-round, with a peak in the spring and winter months.9,10,12,16

Etiopathogenesis

The exact etiology of unilateral laterothoracic exanthem is not known. Because of the seasonal occurrence in winter and spring, close temporal relation to upper respiratory tract infections, occurrences of small epidemics, intrafamilial cases, young age of patients (typically 1 to 5 years), clinical appearance and course similar to viral exanthems, regional lymphadenopathy, nonspecific histology, lack of response to topical corticosteroids, lack of response to systemic antibiotics, and spontaneous resolution, a viral etiology (Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus B19, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus 2 and 3, human herpesvirus 6 and 7) is suspected.4,6,7,12,13,16-19 The condition is also more common in individuals with immunodeficiencies.16,20 So far, a causal relationship between a viral or bacterial agent and the condition has not been substantiated.21

Some authors suggest that a postzygotic mutation at an early stage of embryogenesis may have changed the cutaneous epitopes, rendering the keratinocytes of one side of the body more responsive to infective agents.7 Because the keratinocytes of the other side of the body do not carry the postzygotic mutation, they are less reactive to the infective agents.7 This may explain that although the eruption may become bilateral, unilateral predominance is generally maintained.2

 

NEXT: Histopathology

HISTOPATHOLOGY

Histopathologic findings are nonspecific and include a perivascular and periappendageal lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis and mild mononuclear cell exocytosis and spongiosis in the epidermis.7,9,16

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem usually presents as an acute eruption in an asymptomatic healthy child. A prodrome consisting of low-grade fever, runny nose, cough, and diarrhea is common.10,15,19 Typically, the eruption starts unilaterally in or around the axilla and spreads down the side of the trunk and medial surface of the corresponding proximal arm, or it may start on one side of the trunk and extend toward the axilla.2,3 Less often, the eruption starts in the groin and spreads centrifugally.2,12,22 Involvement of the face, palms, soles, and mucous membranes is rare.18

The lesions consist of discrete erythematous macules and papules, 1 to 4 mm in diameter, with some tendency to coalesce.2,18,23 Pale halos may be seen around some of the lesions.2,12 At times, the eruption can be scarlatiniform, morbilliform, and eczematous.11,15 There is no left or right dominance.18 Progression to the contralateral side of the body is common, but a pronounced asymmetry is maintained; thus, the asymmetric nature of the rash is conserved.7,18

Regional lymphadenopathy confined to the areas of initial eruption is found in approximately 50% of patients.4,9,17 Pruritus is usually mild and present in approximately 50% of patients.4,10,17 Excoriations, oozing, crusting, and lichenification are usually not noted.10 Systemic symptoms are absent. The exanthem usually resolves in 4 to 6 weeks with fine desquamation and without scars nor a tendency to relapse.1,2,7,9-15

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of unilateral laterothoracic exanthem is mainly clinical. A spot diagnosis can usually be made by a clinician who is familiar with the condition. Laboratory investigations and skin biopsy are generally not warranted.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Differential diagnosis includes a nonspecific viral exanthem, contact dermatitis, drug eruption, atopic dermatitis, scarlet fever, miliaria, tinea corporis, lichen striatus, erythema multiforme, guttate psoriasis, scabies, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, and atypical pityriasis rosea.1,10,15

COMPLICATIONS

Occasionally, residual dryness, fine desquamation, and minimal postinflammatory hyperpigmentation may occur but are usually transient.9,12 The general health of the patient is not affected. No systemic illness is associated with this condition.

Management

Given the benign nature of the condition with spontaneous resolution, treatment is usually unnecessary apart from reassurance. Pruritus, if present, can be treated with bland emollients, calamine lotion, and/or oral antihistamines.12 The use of topical or systemic corticosteroids is unwarranted.9,12

Alexander K. C. Leung, MD, is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Calgary and a pediatric consultant at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, is a dermatologist and the medical director and founder of the Toronto Dermatology Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Joseph M. Lam, MD, is a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia and an associate member at the Department of Dermatology and Skin Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

REFERENCES:

  1. Alcántara-Reifs CM, Salido-Vallejo R. Superimposed lateralized exanthem in a 30-year-old woman. CMAJ. 2017;189(36):E1146.
  2. Leung AKC, Barankin B. Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem. J Pediatr. 2015;167(3):775.
  3. Brunner MJ, Rubin L, Dunlap F. A new papular erythema of childhood. Arch Dermatol. 1962;85(4):539-540.
  4. Pauluzzi P, Festini G, Gelmetti C. Asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood in an adult patient with parvovirus B19. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2001;15(4):372-374.
  5. Chan PKS, To KF, Zawar V, Lee A, Chuh AAT. Asymmetric periflexural exanthem in an adult. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2004;29(3):320-321.
  6. Drago F, Ciccarese G, Rebora A. Unilateral laterothoracic or asymmetric periflexural exanthem: is time to change the name of the disease? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(5):570.
  7. Niedermeier A, Pfützner W, Ruzicka T, Thomas P, Happle R. Superimposed lateralized exanthem of childhood: report of a case related to adenovirus infection. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2014;39(3):351-353.
  8. Bodemer C, de Prost Y. Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem in children: a new disease? J Am Acad Dermatol. 1992;27(5 pt 1):693-696.
  9. Durate AF, Cruz MJ, Baudrier T, Mota A, Azevedo F. Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem and primary Epstein-Barr virus infection: case report. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2009;28(6):549-550.
  10. Gragasin FS, Metelitsa AI. Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem. CMAJ. 2012;​184(3):322.
  11. Arun B, Salim A. Transient linear eruption: asymmetric periflexural exanthem or blaschkitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2010;27(3):301-302.
  12. Sidbury R. Atypical exanthems in children. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/atypical-exanthems-in-children. Updated June 27, 2017. Accessed March 28, 2018.
  13. Al Yousef Ali A, Farhi D, De Maricourt S, Dupin N. Asymmetric periflexural exanthema associated with HHV7 infection. Eur J Dermatol. 2010;20(2):​230-231.
  14. Bauzá A, Redondo P, Fernández J. Asymmetric periflexural exanthem in adults. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143(1):224-226.
  15. Zawar VP. Asymmetric periflexural exanthema: a report in an adult patient. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2003;69(6):401-404.
  16. Chuh A, Zawar V, Sciallis GF, Kempf W, Lee A. Pityriasis rosea, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, asymmetric periflexural exanthem, papular-purpuric gloves and socks syndrome, eruptive pseudoangiomatosis, and eruptive hypomelanosis: do their epidemiological data substantiate infectious etiologies? Infect Dis Rep. 2016;8(1):6418.
  17. Guimerá-Martín-Neda F, Fagundo E, Rodríguez F, et al. Asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood: report of two cases with parvovirus B19. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2006;20(4):461-462.
  18. Nahm WK, Paiva C, Golomb C, Badiavas E, Laws R. Asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood: a case involving a 4-month-old infant. Pediatr Dermatol. 2002;19(5):461-462.
  19. Scheinfeld N. Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem with coincident evidence of Epstein Barr virus reactivation: exploration of a possible link. Dermatol Online J. 2007;13(3):13.
  20. Núñez Giralda AI. Asymmetric periflexural exanthema: a case report [in Spanish]. An Pediatr (Barc). 2005;63(3):269-270.
  21. Coustou D, Masquelier B, Lafon ME, et al. Asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood: microbiologic case-control study. Pediatr Dermatol. 2000;17(3):169-173.
  22. Woo SH, Park J. Image gallery: a case of unilateral laterothoracic exanthem. Br J Dermatol. 2016;175(6):e151.
  23. Lichon V, Khachemoune A. Left-sided eruption on a child: case study. Dermatol Nurs. 2007;19(4):366-367.