Men are more frequently affected. Early cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, purpuric clothing contact dermatitis and drug hypersensitivity reactions should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Lichen aureus is the name given to localized pigmented purpuric dermatitis or capillaritis. In this patient, the skin on the extensor surface of the elbow is affected. Histology of a skin biopsy from a patient with lichen aureus shows extravasation of erythrocytes and a perivascular T-cell infiltrate.
Endothelial cell swelling is another histological feature of capillaritis.
This biopsy was obtained from a patient with lichen aureus. Hemosiderin deposition is seen in dermal macrophages in this biopsy from patient with lichen aureus. Glipizide-induced pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Immunohistologic studies in Schamberg's disease. Evidence for cellular immune reaction in lesional skin.