Volar melanotic macules in a Japanese man with histopathological postinflammatory pigmentation: the volar counterpart of mucosal melanotic macules

Background: Volar melanotic macules are asymptomatic light-brown or tannish -grey macules usually found on the palms and/or soles of blacks, although t hey have also been reported on the volar surfaces of whites. Similar lesion s have not been reported before in Japanese people. Since the cause is as y et unknown, it remains to be discussed whether they are a distinct entity. Methods: In this report, a 52-year-old Japanese man with volar melanotic ma cules is reported with the clinical and histopathological findings. Results: A 52-year-old Japanese man presented with many light-brown macules on his bilateral soles. He had a 20-year history of tinea pedis. Histopath ological examination revealed melanophages and inflammatory infiltrates in the superficial dermis. There was a slight increase in melanin granules aro und the acrosyringium. Fontana-Masson stain revealed a slight increase in m elanin granules in the basal layer including the acrosyringium and superfic ial dermis. These changes corresponded with postinflammatory pigmentation. Conclusions: This is the first report of volar melanotic macules in Japanes e people. We suggest that volar melanotic macules is not an independent ent ity but a clinicopathological one that includes postinflammatory pigmentati on, and that the condition is the volar counterpart of mucosal melanotic ma cules.