Poikiloderma of Civatte

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC
Alexander K.C. Leung, MD, MBBS, FRCPC, FRCP
Volume 56 - Issue 8 - August 2016

A 49-year-old white man presented with gradual progression of reddish brown pigmentation on the sides of the neck and lateral cheeks for 3 years. The man’s lesions were asymptomatic.

The patient worked mainly outdoors. His past health was unremarkable. He was not aware of any family history of similar skin disease. He had never experienced an allergic reaction to medications, foods, metals, or perfumes.

Physical examination revealed skin atrophy, telangiectasia, and mottled, reddish brown, reticulate pigmentation that was symmetrically distributed on the sides of the neck and lateral cheeks. The shaded area under the chin was spared. The rest of the physical examination findings were normal.

Based on the history and clinical findings, a diagnosis of poikiloderma of Civatte was made. The patient was treated with 3 treatments of intense pulsed light (IPL), which evened out his skin tone to a satisfactory degree.

poikiloderma of civatte

Discussion. Poikiloderma of Civatte is a rather common, benign skin condition characterized by erythematous to brownish patches consisting of superficial atrophy, telangiectasia, and mottled hyperpigmentation seen mainly on the sides of the neck and peripheral face.1 The condition was first described by Achille Civatte in 1923 and now bears his name.2

Epidemiology and etiology. The exact prevalence is not known, given that many patients do not seek medical attention. It is estimated, for example, that the condition accounts for approximately 1.4% of dermatologic consults in Greece.1 The condition is most common in fair-skinned individuals in the fourth to seventh decade.3 There is a female predominance.1,3 The occurrence is usually sporadic, but familial occurrence has been described.

Cumulative exposure to solar radiation appears to be a primary etiologic factor, given that the condition is most commonly seen in sun-exposed areas.3 Other predisposing factors include photosensitizing chemicals in cosmetics and perfumes, hormonal changes related to menopause or a low estrogen state, and genetic susceptibility.3,4 An autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with variable penetrance has been described.5

Histopathology. Histologic examination typically reveals an atrophic epidermis with parakeratosis, irregular distribution of melanin in the lower epidermis, melanophages in the upper dermis, solar elastosis associated with vasodilation in the papillary dermis, and mild perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate.3,6,7

Clinical manifestations. Poikiloderma of Civatte presents with a combination of linear telangiectasia, erythema, mottled hyperpigmentation, and superficial atrophy in a reticular pattern, symmetrically affecting the sun-exposed areas such as the sides of the neck, lateral cheeks, and upper chest.1,7,8 The shaded area under the chin is characteristically spared.4 Based on the predominating clinical features, poikiloderma of Civatte can be classified into 3 clinical types, namely, the predominant erythematotelangiectatic type, the pigmented type, and the mixed type.1,3,8 The lesions usually are asymptomatic, although some patients report mild itching, burning, stinging, flushing, and increased sensitivity of the affected skin.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on clinical features and characteristic symmetric distribution of the lesion with sparing of the submental area.1,3 

Differential diagnosis includes rosacea, erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli, Riehl melanosis, Berloque dermatitis, eczema, acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Bloom syndrome, acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, dyskeratosis congenita, and parapsoriasis.1 

Referral to a dermatologist is advised if the diagnosis is in doubt.

Prognosis and management. While the condition can be cosmetically unsightly and socially embarrassing,1 poikiloderma of Civatte poses no health hazards. Although the disease is benign, it runs a slowly progressive and irreversible course.7

Apart from reassurance about the benign nature of the condition, treatment usually is not necessary. For those who desire treatment for cosmetic reasons, modalities include IPL, pulsed dye or other vascular laser therapy, and ablative fractional photothermolysis.8,9

Avoiding sun exposure especially during hours of peak UV intensity (11 am to 4 pm), regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreens, and wearing protective hats and clothes when outdoors should be emphasized for prevention.

References:

  1. Katoulis AC, Stavrianeas NG, Georgala S, et al. Poikiloderma of Civatte: a clinical and epidemiological study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005;​19(4):444-448.
  2. Civatte A. Poïkilodermie réticulée pigmentaire du visage et du cou. Ann Dermatol Syphiligr (Paris). 1923;6:605-620.
  3. Khunkhet S, Wattanakrai P. The possible role of contact sensitization to fragrances and preservatives in poikiloderma of Civatte. Case Rep Dermatol. 2014;6(3):258-263.
  4. Vachiramon V, Wattanakrai P. Photoallergic contact sensitization to 6-methylcoumarin in poikiloderma of Civatte. Dermatitis. 2005;16(3):136-138.
  5. Katoulis AC, Stavrianeas NG, Georgala S, et al. Familial cases of poikiloderma of Civatte: genetic implications in its pathogenesis? Clin Exp Dermatol. 1999;​24(5):385-387.
  6. Katoulis AC, Stavrianeas NG, Panayiotides JG, et al. Poikiloderma of Civatte: a histopathological and ultrastructural study. Dermatology. 2007;214(2):172-182.
  7. Nofal A, Salah E. Acquired poikiloderma: proposed classification and diagnostic approach. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(3):e129-e140.
  8. Tierney EP, Hanke CW. Treatment of poikiloderma of Civatte with ablative fractional laser resurfacing: prospective study and review of the literature. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(6):527-534.
  9. Meijs MM, Blok FAA, De Rie MA. Treatment of poikiloderma of Civatte with pulsed dye laser: a series of patients with severe depigmentation. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2006;20(10):1248-1251.