Successful Treatment of a Lichenoid-Like Granulomatous Reaction to Purple Tattoo Pigment With Intralesional Kenalog

June 2015 | Volume 14 | Issue 6 | Case Reports | 638 | Copyright © June 2015


Stephanie Feldstein MDa and Jared Jagdeo MD MSb,c,d

aSchool of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA
bDepartment of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA
cDermatology Service, Sacramento VA Medical Center, Mather, CA
dDepartment of Dermatology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

We present this case to demonstrate how ILK injections can be an effective, non-destructive method of treating tattoo reactions that do not resolve with topical corticosteroids. Based on the success of our patient, we believe treatment with ILK injections should be attempted before more invasive therapies such as excision or laser treatment.
This case also represents an interesting presentation of a rare reaction to purple tattoo pigment. Though clinically consistent with a lichenoid tattoo reaction, pathology showed the etiology to be granulomatous, leading us to label it as a lichenoid-like granulomatous tattoo reaction. It is unclear whether this presentation is unique to purple tattoo pigment only, or if it may be seen with other tattoo colors as well.

DISCLOSURE

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest to declare.

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AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Jared Jagdeo MD MS……........................................ jrjagdeo@gmail.com
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