Erosive mucosal lichen planus: response to topical treatment with tacrolimus

Erosive mucosal lichen planus is a painful and disabling inflammatory skin disease that is highly resistant to topical treatment. We report on six patients with severe recalcitrant erosive mucosal lichen planus who benefited from topical application of tacrolimus ointment. After 4 weeks of treatment, complete resolution was observed in three cases, and substantial improvement was achieved in the other three patients. In these cases, prolonged treatment resulted either in further improvement or in complete healing. All patients reported rapid relief from pain and burning. No severe side-effects were observed.     

Erosive and generalized lichen planus responsive to azathioprine

Systemic corticosteroids are of value in severe lichen planus which interferes with the patient's life or is ulcerative or where there in nail destruction. Azathioprine has been shown to be effective steroid sparing treatment for generalized lichen planus. We report two patients with severe lichen planus who responded to azathioprine alone and suggest it may be an alternative therapy, especially when there are risk factors against corticosteroid use.     

A case of lichen planus pigmentosus that was recalcitrant to topical treatment responding to pigment laser treatment

Lichen planus pigmentosus is a rare variant of lichen planus for which no effective treatment is currently available. Patients usually present with hyperpigmented, dark brown macules on sun‐exposed areas or flexural folds. Here we describe a 50‐year‐old Chinese woman who had biopsy‐confirmed lichen planus pigmentosus that was recalcitrant to a variety of topical treatments, but responded to treatment with a pigment laser.     

A scoring system for mucosal disease severity with special reference to oral lichen planus

BACKGROUND: To date, there is only weak evidence for the superiority of any interventions over placebo for the palliation of symptomatic oral lichen planus (LP). Further research involving large placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials is needed. These will require carefully selected and standardized outcome measures. OBJECTIVES: To formulate a scoring system for intraoral LP. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-six patients with biopsy-confirmed LP were scored at the first and subsequent visits according to (i) extent of site involvement, (ii) disease activity at each site and (iii) an overall pain score as reported by the patient. Overall differences between clinical variants of LP were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and pairwise differences by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Clinical sensitivity (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) was assessed by scoring patients before and after treatment (n = 23). RESULTS: Reticular LP (n = 48) was the commonest single type of clinical presentation, followed by ulcerative (n = 30), atrophic (n = 22), desquamative (n = 18) and plaque (n = 1). The median severity and activity scores were 13/6 (reticular), 39/20 (ulcerative), 20/9 (atrophic) and 23/11 (desquamative). Two or more clinical variants were seen in 37 cases. Statistical significance was observed for differences between clinical variants (P < 0.0001) and variation in scores (P < 0.01) when ulcerative LP was compared with all other types. Clinical sensitivity was statistically significant (P < 0.01), while reproducibility was high and allowed the response to therapy to be easily assessed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that this scoring system is easy to use, reproducible and sensitive enough to detect clinical responses to therapy.     

A quantitative assessment of Langerhans cells in oral mucosal lichen planus and leukoplakia

Quantitative analysis of Langerhans cells stained with OKT6 in the epithelium of 42 patients with oral mucosal lichen planus and 14 patients with oral mucosal leukoplakia showed significantly greater numbers of Langerhans cells in lichen planus. This may reflect the role of Langerhans cells in the pathogenesis of this condition and their identification could help in distinguishing lichen planus from leukoplakia.     

Persistent ulcerated necrobiosis lipoidica responding to treatment with cyclosporin

We report two patients with severe ulcerated necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) who responded to cyclosporin. One patient had suffered persistent ulceration for a period of 7 years and the other had NL of recent onset. In both cases, ulceration healed completely after 4 months of therapy, and both patients have remained free of ulceration since discontinuing therapy. The possible mode of action of cyclosporin in the context of this debilitating disease is discussed.     

Management of erosive lichen planus with topical tacrolimus and recurrence secondary to metoprolol

Metoprolol, a widely prescribed beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, has occasionally been associated with a diversity of cutaneous reactions. We present a 79-year-old male patient with erosive lichen planus (LP) on the feet and hands who was successfully treated with topical tacrolimus. Six months after the lesions had been cured the patient received the beta-receptor blocker metoprolol for the treatment of hypertonus. Within only 2 weeks of metoprolol intake the erosive lesions on the palms and feet recurred. After discontinuation of the drug and repetitive topical treatment with tacrolimus a complete remission of the lesions could be achieved. The recurrence of erosive LP probably secondary to metoprolol and the therapeutic success of topical tacrolimus in the treatment of LP are discussed.     

Multiple keratoacanthomas in hypertrophic lichen planus: treatment with systemic retinoids (etretinate)

A 75-year-old woman was referred for treatment of multiple keratoacanthomas and hypertrophic lichen planus. Surgical excision was considered but was not possible given the multiplicity of the lesions. Etretinate, potent topical corticosteroids and gradient support stockings were initiated. Complete resolution was achieved in four months and oral and topical therapy was discontinued. Four months after discontinuation of all therapy there has been no recurrence.     

足跟部扁平苔藓继发鳞状细胞癌一例

皮肤鳞状细胞癌是起源于表皮或附属器角质形成细胞的一种恶性肿瘤,常由各种癌前期疾病演变而来,其中扁平苔藓继发鳞状细胞癌临床上较为少见。本文报道了足跟部扁平苔藓继发鳞状细胞癌1例。     

Coexistence of palmoplantar lichen planus and lupus erythematosus with response to treatment using acitretin

Lichen planus and lupus erythematosus may occur as an overlap syndrome. Here we report the clinical characteristics of a 49-year-old man with palmoplantar lichen planus and lupus erythematosus. He showed a remarkable clinical response to treatment with acitretin, which resulted in prolonged remission of the disorder.     

Diet-induced dermatitis response of hairless rats to systemic treatment with cyclosporin A (Sandimmun®), cyclosporin H and FK506

Weaned hairless rats were fed a diet deficient in fat, magnesium and folacin. After approximately 1 week, an erythematous dermatitis developed which was associated with extreme generalized pruritus. Scratching led to excoriations and hemorrhagic crusting. The acute stage (pruritic rash) resolved after several days and was followed by sporadic non-itching relapses. Subsequent to the onset of symptoms, rats were treated orally, once daily for 3 days with CyA, CyH or FK506. The immunosuppressants CyA and FK506 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of symptoms in contrast to CyH. The immediate clinical response was associated with changes in blood histamine, white blood cell counts and histological parameters. Since CyH is known to lack immunosuppressive activity, these results may indicate that the cutaneous changes induced by the nutritional deficiency are associated with immunological abnormalities. The results may also indicate mechanisms influenced by CyA and FK506 but not by CyH; for example, release of chemical mediators from inflammatory cells.     

A comparison of treatment of oral lichen planus with topical tacrolimus and triamcinolone acetonide ointment

Treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus remains a challenging problem. This study compared the efficacy of topical tacrolimus ointment with triamcinolone acetonide ointment in patients with oral lichen planus. Twenty patients (group I) were treated with topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment 4 times daily, and 20 (group II) were treated with triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment 4 times daily. The clinical effect was graded after 6 weeks. In group I, 6 patients healed, 12 showed improvement and 2 showed no improvement. In group II, 2 patients healed, 7 improved and 11 showed no improvement. The most commonly reported side-effect in both groups was temporary burning or stinging at the site of application. Unfortunately, oral lesions recurred within 3-9 weeks of cessation of treatment in 13 of the 18 patients who had initially shown an improvement or were healed in group I and in 7 of the 9 patients in group II. Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment induced a better initial therapeutic response than triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment. However, relapses occurred frequently within 3-9 weeks of the cessation of treatment.     

Recalcitrant lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia responding to tildrakizumab

Lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) are lymphocytic, cicatricial alopecias. Clinically, LPP presents with multifocal patchy alopecia, while FFA, considered a variant of LPP, results in hairline recession. Frontal recession in FFA may progress as far as the mid‐scalp and infrequently beyond. Treatment to arrest the inflammatory process can be challenging and response variable. We report a case of recalcitrant lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia demonstrating significant clinical improvement after four doses of the interleukin‐23 monoclonal antibody tildrakizumab.     

Nail lichen planus in children: clinical features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up of nail lichen planus in children. DESIGN: Retrospective study involving 15 children with nail lichen planus. SETTING: Outpatient consultation for nail disorders at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: We diagnosed nail lichen planus in 15 children younger than 12 years, including 10 children with typical nail matrix lesions, 2 children with 20-nail dystrophy (trachyonychia), and 3 children with idiopathic atrophy of the nails. Only 2 of the 15 children had oral lichen planus; none had cutaneous lesions. A nail biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. INTERVENTION: Intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide, 0.5 to 1 mg/kg per month, was prescribed to children with typical nail lichen planus and prolonged from 3 to 6 months until the proximal half of the nail was normal. No treatment was prescribed to patients with 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails. RESULTS: Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. Two children experienced a recurrence of the disease during the follow-up. Recurrences were always responsive to therapy. The 2 children with 20-nail dystrophy improved without any therapy. Nail lesions caused by idiopathic atrophy of the nails remained unchanged during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Nail lichen planus in children is not rare but probably underestimated. It often presents with atypical clinical features such as 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails.     

A comparative immunohistochemical study of lichen planus and discoid lupus erythematosus

A comparative immunohistochemical study was performed on skin biopsies from 10 patients with lichen planus and 10 patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). A panel of antibodies against T lymphocytes (UCHL-1, OPD-4, CD8, CD45), B lymphocytes (L-26), granulocytes (Leu-M1), activation markers (Ki-1, LN-3), macrophages, fibroblasts and dendritic cells (FXIIIa, S-100, Mac-387, K.P-1, vimentin), endothelial cells (CD34), and epithelial cells (epithelial membrane antigen) was employed using a peroxidase-anti-peroxidase technique. The recently released CD8 antiserum required microwave antigen retrieval of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue to label lymphocytes. The results showed many similarities in the lymphocyte subsets and macrophages between lichen planus and discoid lupus erythematosus. The most important differences between the two conditions were statistically significant increases in the number of S-100⁺ cells in the epidermis and dermis, FXIIIa⁺ cells in the dermis and CD34⁺ vessels within the inflammatory infiltrate in lichen planus.