Three Cases of Lichen Nitidus Associated with Various Cutaneous Diseases
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Lichen Nitidus with Cutaneous Diseases Ann Dermatol Vol. 26, No. 4, 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.5021/ad.2014.26.4.505 CASE REPORT Three Cases of Lichen Nitidus Associated with Various Cutaneous Diseases Eun Byul Cho, Heung Yeol Kim, Eun Joo Park, In Ho Kwon, Kwang Ho Kim, Kwang Joong Kim Department of Dermatology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea Lichen nitidus (LN) is an uncommon, usually asymptomatic menon is observed and is the hallmark of LN1,2,7. The le- cutaneous eruption characterized by the presence of sions are usually asymptomatic but may be mildly pruritic. multiple, small, flesh-colored papules. The epidemiologic Histopathologically, LN is characterized by a well-circum- and pathophysiologic characteristics of LN have not yet been scribed, mixed-cell granulomatous infiltrate near the lower defined. Furthermore, LN has rarely been described in surface of the epidermis and confined to a widened der- association with other cutaneous diseases. We herein report mal papillae8. 3 cases of LN associated with various cutaneous diseases, The clinical and histopathologic features of LN are quite including lichen striatus, oral lichen planus, and psoriasis definitive; however, the etiology and pathogenesis remain vulgaris. (Ann Dermatol 26(4) 505∼509, 2014) obscure1. It has been proposed that LN may be associated with immune alterations in the patient7. The relation bet- -Keywords- ween LN and LP has been debated by many investiga- Lichen nitidus, Lichen planus, Lichen striatus, Oral cavity, tors1. A few reports have demonstrated that LN is associ- Psoriasis ated with other diseases, including LP9-12, erythema nodo- sum10, segmental vitiligo13, and lichen spinulosus14. We herein report 3 rare cases of LN associated with lichen stri- INTRODUCTION atus (LS), oral LP (OLP), and psoriasis vulgaris. Lichen nitidus (LN) is an uncommon idiopathic inflam- CASE REPORT matory cutaneous eruption first described by Pinkus in Case 1 19011. The dermatosis is composed of multiple, small, discrete, glistening, flesh-colored to slightly pink papules A 12-year-old boy presented with a 1-year history of pru- that may occur anywhere on the skin; however, the most ritic papules on the right upper back and right arm. His common sites are the glans and shaft of the penis, geni- medical history and family history were unremarkable, talia, abdomen, and extremities1,2. Involvement of the palms and there was no relevant history of systemic or topical and soles, nails, and mucous membranes has rarely been drug use. Physical examination revealed well-defined, pin- described3-6. As in lichen planus (LP), the Koebner pheno- head-sized, skin-colored to erythematous grouped papules on the right upper back, and pinhead-sized, whitish papul- es in a linear configuration on the right arm (Fig. 1A, B). Received April 9, 2012, Revised May 10, 2012, Accepted for publication May 12, 2012 Histopathologic examination of the papules on the right Corresponding author: Kwang Ho Kim, Department of Dermatology, upper back revealed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, hydropic Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, 22 Gwanpyeong-ro 170 be- degeneration of the basal cell layer, and a circumscribed on-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang 431-796, Korea. Tel: 82-31-380-3760, Fax: nest of inflammatory cells in 2 contiguous dermal papillae 82-31-386-3761, E-mail: [email protected] (‘claw clutching a ball’ appearance) (Fig. 1C). Furthermore, This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the skin biopsy from the right arm showed hyperkeratosis, Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http:// focal parakeratosis, acanthosis, hydropic degeneration of creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, the basal cell layer, superficial perivascular lymphocytic provided the original work is properly cited. infiltration, and perifollicular lymphohistiocytic infiltration Vol. 26, No. 4, 2014 505 EB Cho, et al Fig. 1. Physical examination of the patient 1 revealed well-defined, pinhead-sized, skin-colored to erythematous grouped papules (arrows) on the right upper back (A), and pinhead-sized, whitish papules in a linear configuration on the right arm (B). Histopathologic exami- nation from the right upper back shows hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, hydropic degeneration of the basal cell layer, and ‘claw clutching a ball’ appearance (C), from the the right arm shows hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, acanthosis, hydropic degeneration of the basal cell layer, superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and perifollicular lymphohistiocytic infiltration (D) (C, D: H&E, ×100). (Fig. 1D). function tests, were all within normal limits. The histopathologic findings were consistent with LN on A skin biopsy from the tongue revealed hyperkeratosis, the right upper back and LS on the right arm. Because the acanthosis, vacuolar alteration of the basal layer, and band- patient complained of mild itching of the lesions, he was ike infiltration in the papillary dermis (Fig. 2C). The biopsy treated with topical methylprednisolone aceponate and specimen from the left wrist showed parakeratosis and a 0.1% topical tacrolimus for 3 months. He is currently being claw clutching a ball appearance. On the basis of the cli- observed and has had no recurrence. nical course and histopathological characteristics, the lesi- ons on the patient’s tongue were diagnosed as OLP, whe- Case 2 reas the lesions on both wrists were diagnosed as LN. A 33-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of The patient was treated with 4 mg/day (0.1 mg·kg-1·day-1) slightly erythematous plaques with whitish striae arranged oral methylprednisolone, topical methylprednisolone acepo- in a lacy pattern on the tongue, as well as relatively well- nate, and 0.1% topical tacrolimus. The treatment was efined, skin-colored to slightly erythematous, grouped pa- continued for 3 months but none of the lesions were pules on both wrists (Fig. 2A, B). She did not complain of improved; therefore, 100 mg/day (2.5 mg·kg-1·day-1) cyclo- itching and pain. Her medical history and family history sporine was administered. She did not complain of any were unremarkable, and she was not taking prescribed adverse effects of drugs. After 1 year of oral cyclosporine medicines. Routine laboratory examinations, including peri- therapy, the OLP and LN lesions began to improve nearly pheral blood cell analysis, liver function tests, and renal simultaneously. She is currently under observation with- 506 Ann Dermatol Lichen Nitidus with Cutaneous Diseases Fig. 2. Physical examination of the patient 2 revealed slightly erythematous plaques with whitish striae arranged lacy pattern on the dorsal surface on the tongue (A), and localized, relatively well defined, 2 to 3 mm sized, skin colored to slightly erythematous, grouped papules on both wrists (B). (C) Biopsy from the tongue shows hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, irregular acanthosis, hydropic degeneration of basal cells and band like infiltration of lymphocytes in the upper dermis (H&E, ×100). Fig. 3. Physical examination of the patient 3 revealed scattered, relatively well-defined, erythematous, scaly plaques on the lower extremities (A), and scattered, well-defined, pinhead-sized, skin colored, glistening papules on the trunk (B). (C) Biopsy from the right knee shows parakeratotic mounds (Munro microabscesses), hyperkeratosis, acanthosis with elongation of rete ridges and dilated capillaries at the superficial dermis with perivascular lymphocytic infiltration (H&E, ×100). out recurrence. trunk showed parakeratosis, vacuolar alteration of the basal cell layer, and a claw clutching a ball appearance. Case 3 These findings suggested LN. An 8-year-old boy presented with 2 distinct types of cuta- After the diagnosis, narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) neous lesions. He presented with a 6-month history of phototherapy twice a week was initiated at 200 mJ/cm2, scattered, relatively well-defined, pea- to bean-sized, ery- along with the application of topical methylprednisolone thematous, scaly plaques on the trunk, extremities, and aceponate and topical acitretin ointment. The skin lesions face (Fig. 3A). Additionally, he had scattered, well- of LN were improved after 14 irradiation courses with a defined, pinhead-sized, skin-colored, glistening papules cumulative dose of 12.5 J/cm2, and were almost cured on the trunk for 6 months (Fig. 3B). He did not complain with a cumulative dose of 31 J/cm2. After the NB-UVB of itching and pain. He had no significant medical or family phototherapy, the skin lesions of psoriasis remained redu- history. Results of routine laboratory examinations, inclu- ced in size and number. He is currently being observed ding peripheral blood cell analysis, liver function tests, and with continued application of topical steroid and acitretin renal function tests, were all within normal limits. ointment. Skin biopsy from the erythematous scaly plaques on the right knee revealed spongiform pustules of Kogoj and DISCUSSION parakeratotic mounds (Munro microabscesses), hyperkera- tosis, diminished granular layer, acanthosis with elonga- LN is an uncommon cutaneous eruption with well-defined tion of the rete ridges, and dilated capillaries at the super- clinical and histopathologic features. The majority of LN ficial dermis with perivascular lymphocytic infiltration cases occur in children and young adults1. The dermatosis (Fig. 3C). These histological findings suggested psoriasis is