Linear eruptions of the nose in childhood: a form of lichen striatus?

Blaschko-linear lichen planus of the face: A retrospective study of 6 cases and a literature review

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS

Different clinical and histological variants of lichen planus (LP) exist, such as lichen planopilaris, pigmentosus, linear, or atrophic LP. Recently, some cases came to our attention of hyperpigmented and atrophic linear lesions of the face with lichenoid histology, suggesting a combination of these different variants. We carried out a single-center, retrospective descriptive study of 6 similar cases selected from our database and compared them with a literature review.

RESULTS

There were 4 males and 2 females of mean age 42 years. Each had linear lesions located on one side of the face. All lesions were initially itchy; they appeared hyperpigmented in all patients and atrophic in 5 cases. Biopsies indicated lichen planopilaris in 5 patients, with deep peri-eccrine involvement in 4 of them. Only 2 of the 6 patients had extra-facial lesions.

DISCUSSION AND LITERATURE REVIEW

We found 24 cases in the literature having similar clinical and histological aspects. Men aged around 37 years seemed particularly affected. An atrophic course was noticed in 10 patients. Such a clinicopathological picture may suggest differential diagnoses like lichen striatus, lupus erythematosus, lichen sclerosus atrophicus, or Moulin's linear atrophoderma. Early histopathological examination could be of precious assistance in allowing the initiation of effective treatment immediately as of the initial inflammatory phase, thereby limiting the risk of cosmetic sequelae such as atrophy or residual pigmentation.

CONCLUSION

We describe a form of facial lichen planus that is highly particular in terms of its follicular tropism, its blaschkoid distribution, its pigmented character, and its atrophic progression.

Facial lichen striatus in children: retracing the lines of Blaschko

We report seven patients with facial lichen striatus along the lines of Blaschko who presented to our pediatric dermatology unit between 2003 and 2009. The mean age of diagnosis was 4.6 years (range 2.5-9 years). Three of the cases were associated with atopic dermatitis, and one case presented with vitiligo. In the six patients for whom we have follow-up, all lesions resolved without pigmentary changes in an average of 11 months. This case series describes the distribution, presentation, and natural history of lichen striatus along facial lines of Blaschko. From our experience, clinical diagnosis and monitoring without biopsy is a reasonable approach to the management of uncomplicated lichen striatus, particularly when the face is involved.

"Pediatric blaschkitis": expanding the spectrum of childhood acquired Blaschko-linear dermatoses

We describe two young children who developed relapsing, pruritic, papulovesicular eruptions in multiple bands along Blaschko lines on the neck, trunk, and extremities. Skin specimens in both revealed spongiotic dermatitis. This represents the first report of "blaschkitis" in children, providing further evidence that lichen striatus and blaschkitis are related acquired Blaschko-linear dermatoses that exist on a spectrum rather than as the childhood and adult form of a single disease entity. We highlight the features that differentiate blaschkitis from lichen striatus, review the potential roles of cutaneous mosaicism, environmental triggers, and background immunologic state in their pathogenesis, and discuss the spectrum of inflammatory dermatoses that can follow Blaschko lines.

Lichen striatus: clinical and laboratory features of 115 children

To analyze the clinical features, response to treatment, and follow-up of lichen striatus and any associated symptoms or disease, we designed a retrospective study involving 115 affected children at the Pediatric Dermatology Unit of the Department of Dermatology of the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Between January 1989 and January 2000 we diagnosed lichen striatus in 37 boys and 78 girls (mean age 4 years 5 months). We studied their family history and the season of onset, morphology, distribution, extent, duration, histopathology, and treatment of their lichen striatus. We found that family history was negative in all our patients except for two pairs of siblings. The majority of children had the disease in the cold seasons; precipitating factors were found in only five cases. The most frequently involved sites were the limbs, with no substantial difference between upper and lower limb involvement. When lichen striatus was located on the trunk and face, it always followed Blaschko lines; in seven children the bands on the limbs appeared to be along the axial lines of Sherrington. In 70 cases, lichen striatus was associated with atopy. The mean duration of the disease was 6 months and relapses were observed in five children, and in one instance the disease had a prolonged course. Only a few case study series of lichen striatus in children have been reported and ours is the largest to date. The etiology of lichen striatus remains unknown in the majority of our patients. The confirmed association with atopy observed in our patients may be a predisposing factor. It has generally been accepted that lichen striatus follows the lines of Blaschko, and this distribution is a sign of both a topographic and a pathogenetic concept. In patients where lichen striatus is along axial lines, a locus minoris resistentiae, we suppose that this distribution may only be an illusory phenomenon in instances in which the trigger factor prefers this route, consisting of several successive Blaschko lines, but appearing as a single band.

Lupus erythematosus tumidus in childhood. Report of 3 patients

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a rare disorder in childhood. Most patients reported in the literature present with systemic manifestations, and, to date, fewer than 20 children with chronic cutaneous LE have been documented. In this article, we describe 3 patients with childhood LE tumidus, an uncommon but distinct subtype of chronic cutaneous LE. The lesions are characterized by erythematous, urticaria-like, nonscarring plaques in sun-exposed areas and, unlike in other variants of chronic cutaneous LE, there is no epidermal involvement. The clinical, photobiological, and histologic features as well as the differential diagnoses of childhood LE tumidus are discussed and compared with the adult form of this disease.

Linear childhood cutaneous lupus erythematosus following Blaschko lines

We report a case of a 3-year-old Spanish boy with linear cutaneous lupus erythematosus following the lines of Blaschko on his face and neck. Histological examination established the diagnosis. Only eight cases of discoid lupus erythematosus following the lines of Blaschko have been reported previously.