Tattoo ink-related cutaneous pseudolymphoma: a rare but significant complication : case report and review of the literature

Background The demand for decorative tattoos is stea- dily growing worldwide, and in the US it is estimated that up to 24 % of adults has one or more tattoos. Subsequently, the number of tattoo-related complications is increasing. Among these, lymphoproliferative disorders play a minor but important role. The aim of this article is to arouse the awareness of plastic surgeons and dermatologists about this rare but serious complication and to stimulate stricter clinical control of their tattooed patients. Methods We report a new case of tattoo-related cutane- ous pseudolymphoma (CPL) and perform a review of the last 30 years of literature on the topic in PubMed. Results Apart from this new case, only 18 cases of CPL have been reported in PubMed so far. In contrast to the classic knowledge, the T cell was the predominant phe- notype in 68 % of cases. Red is confirmed to be the most involved ink. Topical and intralesional steroids, laser therapy, and surgery were used for treatment of CPL. Conclusions Even if CPL is a very rare and benign complication, we should not forget that in rare cases seudolymphoma may evolve into a true lymphoma. Diagnosis is still difficult and is based on anamnestic, clinical, and histopathological data. From the review of the literature, the T cell predominance suggests a reclassifica- tion of tattoo-induced CPL and there is not a gold standard treatment yet. Finally, once a pseudolymphoma is diag- nosed, there must be a long follow-up because of the possibility to transform into a malignancy.