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A Clinical Classification of Pigmentary Disorders

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Book cover Pigmentary Skin Disorders

Part of the book series: Updates in Clinical Dermatology ((UCD))

Abstract

Pigmentary disorders include a large number of heterogeneous conditions that can be congenital or acquired. In this chapter a clinical approach to the pigmentary disorders is proposed. An attempt has been made to include most known disorders that lead to the discolouration of the skin (including melanin as well as non-melanin pigmentation). The disorders are classified as hypopigmented/depigmented, hyperpigmented and mixed pigmentation (hypopigmented and hyperpigmented), which can have their onset in early childhood or in later childhood through to adulthood. They can manifest as generalized and diffuse pigmentation or circumscribed lesions. Clinical findings including the degree of pigment loss or colour of pigment change, lesional morphology, associated extracutaneous signs and organ involvement are used to distinguish the disorders further. It is particularly important to have a systematic approach for the pigmentary disorders as the causes are heterogeneous, investigations (including histopathology) are not typically diagnostic, and the genetic basis of many congenital pigmentary disorders is still not known. This classification provides a systematic approach for the diagnosis of pigmentary disorders, allowing appropriate counselling and specific treatment where available.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia

    Bernadette Ricciardo

  2. Department of Dermatology, Fiona Stanley Hospital and University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

    Prasad Kumarasinghe

Authors
  1. Bernadette Ricciardo
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  2. Prasad Kumarasinghe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bernadette Ricciardo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Fiona Stanley Hospital and University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Autralia, Australia

    Prasad Kumarasinghe

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Ricciardo, B., Kumarasinghe, P. (2018). A Clinical Classification of Pigmentary Disorders. In: Kumarasinghe, P. (eds) Pigmentary Skin Disorders. Updates in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70419-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70419-7_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-70418-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-70419-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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