Rr. Brancaccio et al., ALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS FROM COLOR FILM DEVELOPERS - CLINICAL ANDHISTOLOGIC FEATURES, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 28(5), 1993, pp. 827-830
We evaluated two patients with allergic contact dermatitis that result
ed from exposure to color film developers. A lichenoid eruption develo
ped in one patient, whereas an eruption more characteristic of an acut
e spongiotic dermatitis developed in the second patient. Histologic fi
ndings in the first case were those of a ''lichenoid dermatitis'' but
with features distinct from classic lichen planus. The biopsy specimen
s from the second patient showed a subacute spongiotic process with a
bandlike infiltrate suggestive of an evolving lichenoid process. Conta
ct allergy to color developers may result in eruptions similar to lich
en planus. This process appears to evolve from an acute spongiotic der
matitis in its early phase to a lichenoid dermatitis in fully develope
d and more chronic forms. Although the histologic features are those o
f a ''lichenoid'' dermatitis, some features, such as the presence of s
pongiosis, eosinophils, and a less intense inflammatory infiltrate, ma
y enable distinction between lichenoid allergic contact dermatitis and
true lichen planus. In addition, clinicopathologic correlation with p
atch test results should permit accurate diagnosis in most cases.