A case of linear lichen planus pigmentosus

A Case of Unilateral Blaschko-Linear Lichen Planus Pigmentosus in a Seven-Year-Old Female: A Rare Presentation

Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a rare form of lichen planus that typically affects middle-aged people with darker-pigmented skin. LPP is associated with a longer clinical course than classical lichen planus, which distinguishes it clinically. Its occurrence in children is uncommon, with few reported cases in this population in the literature. We report a rare presentation of unilateral blaschkoid LPP in a seven-year-old Saudi Arabian female patient.

Unilateral Lichen Planus Pigmentosus with Blaschko's Line Distribution: A Case Report

Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a distinctive variant of lichen planus described for the first time in 1974. A wide range of presentations and distribution patterns have been reported, mainly presenting as dark brown hyperpigmented macules and patches, typically involving sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and flexural folds. It is more common in dark-skinned patients with a female predominance. Infrequently, LPP may present as a Blaschkoid distribution, with only a few cases reported in the medical literature. We report an unusual case of LPP that developed with a unilateral Blaschkoid distribution on the left side of the trunk in a 32-year-old female following weight reduction surgery.

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.

Linear Lichen Planus in the Setting of Annual Vaccination

Vaccines have a well-demonstrated therapeutic benefit. However, the spectrum of potential dermatologic vaccine side effects ranges from localized skin irritation to acute and delayed response. Currently, there are limited published data correlating dermatoses with alterations in the immune system following vaccination. The mechanism by which group A beta-hemolytic streptococci may precede the manifestation of guttate psoriasis is included as a mechanism foundation as we further describe the immunopathogenesis of immune-mediated linear dermatoses. We present a rare case of linear lichen planus following intramuscular influenza vaccination, not associated with an injection site reaction. Immune-related dermatoses may be underreported, and a vaccine history should be considered in all patients with a skin condition that is otherwise attributed as idiopathic.

Coexistence of Linear and Inversus Variants of Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: A Rare Occurrence

Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a rare disorder affecting primarily the people with ethnic skin. It results in hyperpigmentation of sun-exposed sites along with the involvement of flexures. In accordance with clinical patterns, different variants such as diffuse, blotchy, reticulate, and perifollicular have been described. Rare variants such as flexural (inversus), mucosal, linear, and zosteriform have been reported scarcely. Inversus LPP refers to the involvement of major flexures such as inframammary area, axillae, and groins in the absence of involvement of photo-exposed sites. We present an unusual case presenting with coexisting linear and inversus variants of LPP.

Update on lichen planus and its clinical variants

Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin condition with characteristic clinical and histopathological findings. Classic LP typically presents as pruritic, polygonal, violaceous flat-topped papules and plaques; many variants in morphology and location also exist, including oral, nail, linear, annular, atrophic, hypertrophic, inverse, eruptive, bullous, ulcerative, lichen planus pigmentosus, lichen planopilaris, vulvovaginal, actinic, lichen planus-lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome, and lichen planus pemphigoides. Clinical presentation of the rarer variant lesions may be largely dissimilar to classic LP and therefore difficult to diagnose based solely on clinical examination. However, histopathological examination of LP and LP-variant lesions reveal similar features, aiding in the proper diagnosis of the disease. Management of LP and LP variants aims to control symptoms and to decrease time from onset to resolution; it often involves topical corticosteroids, but varies depending on the severity and location of the lesion. The literature contains an array of reports on the variations in presentation and successful management of LP and its variants. A familiarity with LP and its variants is important in achieving timely recognition and management of the disease.

Segmental prurigo pigmentosa

Prurigo pigmentosa (PP) is an inflammatory skin disease of unknown origin. The skin lesions in PP are symmetrically distributed on the back, chest, and neck. Pruritus is a prominent feature in many cases. We report on a 13-year-old girl with lesions typical of PP in a segmental arrangement on her left chest. A segmental distribution of PP has not been previously reported.

Unilateral Blaschkoid lichen planus in successive pregnancies

A number of genetic, congenital and acquired dermatoses have been known to follow Blaschko's lines. A common disorder like lichen planus can very rarely present with pruritic lesions in atypical patterns such as unilateral distribution, painful eruptions and along Blaschko's lines. Various triggering factors varying from viral infections and vaccinations to trauma have been implicated in lichen planus. We describe a female patient in the second trimester of her second pregnancy who developed unilateral lichen planus along Blaschko's lines during both pregnancies. No case of lichen planus along Blaschko's lines recurring during pregnancy is reported so far. Could pregnancy itself be a contributory factor towards onset of lichen planus in this case?