transient acantholytic dermatosis

Definition: Grover’s disease (GD) is a polymorphic, pruritic, papulovesicular dermatosis characterized histologically by acantholysis with or without dyskeratosis.

Once confirmed, most cases of Grover’s disease last six to twelve months, which is why it was originally called "transient". Unfortunately it may last much longer. Nevertheless, it is not to be confused with relapsing linear acantholytic dermatosis.

Microscopy

4 histological patterns:

 focal acantholytic dyskeratosis as in Darier disease
 Hailey-Hailey disease pattern
 pemphigus vulgaris or pemphigus foliaceus pattern
 spongiotic dermatitis pattern

Any or all four patterns may be present. Nonspecific immunofluorescence pattern.

Differential diagnosis

 Darier disease
 Hailey-Hailey disease
 pemphigus vulgaris or pemphigus foliaceus
 spongiotic dermatitis