Coexistence of confluent and reticulated papillomatosis and acanthosis nigricans.

Abstract

An association between confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CRP) and acanthosis nigricans (AN) has been debated over many years. The clinical and microscopical appearances of confluent and reticulated papillomatosis may resemble those of acanthosis nigricans. We describe two teenage females who developed both confluent and reticulated papillomatosis and acanthosis nigricans and discuss the pathogenesis of CRP. Our cases, in conjunction with those previously reported cases, of CRP coexisting with AN, give further evidence to the theory that CRP is a variant of AN. We propose that the differences in clinical features relate to the topographical variations.