Lichen striatus successfully treated with photodynamic therapy

Lichen striatus successfully treated with oral cyclosporine

Lichen striatus is an acquired, benign, linear inflammatory dermatosis characterized by a sudden skin eruption along Blaschko's lines that usually is not associated with specific etiologic agents. In most cases, it is a self-limited dermatosis, but may relapse. Topical steroids are its first-line therapy, but this treatment is not always effective. We describe the case of a 45-year-old woman affected by a lichen striatus on her right limb resistant to topical corticosteroid therapy. The patient was successfully treated with cyclosporine (4 mg/kg/die) for 4 weeks with no recurrence of the dermatitis during the subsequent 1-year follow-up period.

Lichen planus and other lichenoid dermatoses: Kids are not just little people

Lichenoid dermatoses, a group of inflammatory skin conditions with characteristic clinical and histopathologic findings, range from common to rare. Classic lichen planus typically presents as pruritic, polygonal, violaceous flat-topped papules and plaques; many variants in morphology and location also exist. Other lichenoid dermatoses share similar clinical presentations and histopathologic findings. These include lichenoid drug eruption, lichen planus-like keratosis, lichen striatus, lichen nitidus, and keratosis lichenoides chronica. Epidemiologic characteristics vary among each lichenoid disorder. While classic lichen planus is considered a disease of adults, other lichenoid dermatoses may be more common in younger populations. The literature contains an array of reports on the variations in presentation and successful management of lichen planus and lichenoid dermatoses among diverse populations. Familiarity with the characteristics of each lichenoid dermatosis, rare or common within each patient population, is key to accomplishing timely recognition and effective management.

Lichen striatus associated with psoriasis vulgaris treated with oral acitretin

Lichen striatus (LS) is an uncommon dermatosis of unknown etiology that presents as a continuous or interrupted linear band of pink, tan, red or skin-colored papules in a blaschkoid distribution. The lesions are generally solitary and unilateral, but unusual extensive cases with multiple and bilateral lesions have been also described. Albeit LS is typically an asymptomatic and self-limited dermatosis, it may cause a significant psychological distress in some patients, thus requiring an appropriate therapy. Topical steroid is the most commonly used treatment but it is not always effective. We report a case of LS unresponsive to topical steroid therapy associated with psoriasis vulgaris successfully treated with oral acitretin.