PALMAR CREASE PIGMENTATION

Abstract

A young lady presented with history of giddiness, blackouts, and darkness of her skin colour especially the face. On examination the colour of her skin was quite dark but not much darker than her spouse. She had buccal pigmentations and her palmar creases were obviously pigmented. Facility for short Synacthen test was not available. Her serum cortisol was on the lower normal side and ACTH was sky high; 1024 pg/ml (ref. range adults: 6-76 pg/ml). She was screened for ectopic ACTH production which could not reveal any pathology. Also plain abdominal x-ray didn’t show any adrenal calcification. She was labeled as Addison’s disease and improved drastically after replacement therapy (Cortisone + Fludrocortisone). Giddiness aloof, she was delighted with the fairness of her colour.

Keywords

• skin pigmentation
• addison’s disease
• adrenocorticotrophic hormone.