Lichen Planus Due to Hirudotherapy

Lichen planus is a traumatic (koebner positive), chronic, inflammatory and autoimmune disease affecting the oral and genital mucosa, scalp and nails. The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of medical leeches for therapeutic purposes (hirudotherapy) in 2004 to ensure flap nutrition in plastic surgery. A 34-year-old male patient was admitted to our dermatology outpatient clinic with a swollen, itchy and purple-coloured rash on legs and back for a month, and white and reticulated plaques in the mouth. It was learned that a week earlier, eight leeches was applied to both knees and ankles to alleviate knee and leg pain. The patient had no history of drug use. A punch biopsy was taken from the patient with a preliminary diagnosis of lichen planus and lichenoid drug reaction. The histopathological examination showed hyperkeratosis, irregular acanthosis and hypergranulosis. Systemic methylprednisolone, levocetrizine and topical methylprednisolone aceponate were planned for the therapy. To the best of our knowledge, the appearance of lichen planus after hirudotherapy was never reported in literature. Hence, physicians should keep in mind that lichen planus and similar dermatoses could be triggered due to hirudotherapy. The fact that lichen planus appeared a week after hirudotherapy does not necessarily mean that leeches were the cause of this phenomenon. Accordingly, it could be deduced that lichen planus was probably developed as a result of leech therapy.

[A patient with perfectly aligned itching papules of the back after hijama therapy]. / Een patiënte met huidafwijkingen na hijama-therapie.

A 31-year-old woman was seen at our clinic with itching papules of the back after hijama treatments. Hijama treatments consist of superficially cutting the skin followed by cupping and are applied for a diversity of complaints, including pain. Our patient initially presented with sensitive and burning sensations at the cutting sites, but recently, the cutting sites started to itch as well. At physical examination, we saw perfectly aligned papules with a sign of Wickham's striae on her back where the skin had been cut. Further examination revealed comparable, solitary papules on the inside of her wrist, flank and chest. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis lichen planus. The patient was prescribed betamethasone cream and we advised against further hijama treatments.

Lichen Planus Pigmentosus-like Reaction to Guasha.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is an uncommon variant of lichen planus (LP) that manifests as macular hyperpigmentation involving chiefly the face and upper limbs. Although its etiology has not been fully elucidated, a relationship with hepatitis C infection, restrictive underwear, localized friction, and sun exposure have been proposed. Rarely, exposure to mustard oil, amla oil, henna, or hair dyes has been reported. CONCLUSION: We herein describe an LPP-like reaction to Guasha.

Level of use and safety of botanical products for itching vulvar dermatoses. Are patch tests useful?

BACKGROUND: Topical remedies based on botanical ingredients are popular. OBJECTIVES: To assess: (i) the usage of botanical substances in subjects affected with itching and chronic vulvar complaints; (ii) the incidence of side-effects associated with their use and the frequency of contact allergy; (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing. METHODS: Sixty-six patients were provided with a questionnaire to assess the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Patients were patch tested with (i) the Italian baseline series, (ii) a topical medicament series, and (iii) a botanical series. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (63.6%) reported the use of natural topical products on the vulva. Seven (16.7%) noted adverse reactions; 27 showed positive reactions with the baseline series; 14 (21.2%) had at least one relevant reaction, mainly to allergens in topical products and cosmetics; and 2 (3%) showed positive reactions to the botanical series. Of the 7 patients complaining of adverse effects of botanical products, 3 (42.8%) showed relevant sensitization. CONCLUSIONS: The use of natural topical products is widespread among women affected with itching vulvar diseases. Contact dermatitis is a possible adverse effect. Botanical series are of questionable usefulness, owing to the wide variety of botanical ingredients.

Liquen plano / Lichen planus

El liquen plano (LP) es una dermatosis inflamatoria crónica que afecta a la piel, membranas mucosas, pelo y uñas; de etiología desconocida, en cuya patogenia existe un daño autoinmunitario mediado por linfocitos T frente a los queratinocitos basales que expresan autoantígenos alterados en su superficie. Se presenta con diferentes patrones clínicos, como LP oral, LP anular, LP lineal, LP atrófico, LP hipertrófico, LP ampollar, LP pigmentoso, LP actínico. Su presentación clásica se caracteriza por pápulas poligonales o placas, pruriginosas, de coloración violácea, superficie brillante, surcada por estrias blanquecinas, característicamente distribuidas en forma simétrica sobre todo en las superficies flexoras de la muñeca, tobillos y muslos. Evoluciona por brotes y su curso es autolimitado, se resuelve en un periodo de meses a años, pero puede persistir indefinidamente. Existen múltiples opciones de tratamiento que incluyen corticoides tópicos, intralesionales y sistémicos, retinoides, fototerapia, inmunomoduladores tópicos y en casos graves o resistentes al tratamiento, la ciclosporina, metotrexato y fotoféresis extracorpórea.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that affectsthe skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails; of unknown aetiology, whose pathogenesis is autoimmune damage mediated by T cells against basal keratinocytes that express autoantigens altered on its surface. It comes with different clinical patterns, such as oralLP, LP annularis, LP linearis, LP, LP verrucosus, bullosa LP, LP pigmentosus, LP actinicus. Classical presentation is characterized bypolygonal papules or plaques, pruritic, violet colour, glossy surface, drained by whitish stretch marks, characteristically distributed in symmetrical form especially in surface flexors of the wrist, ankles and thighs. It evolves by outbreaks and its course is self-limited, resolving in a period of months to years, but may persist indefinitely. There are multiple treatment options including steroids topics, miscellaneous and systemic, retinoids, phototherapy, immunomodulators topical and in cases of severe or resistant to treatment, ciclosporin, methotrexate and photoferesis extracorporea.

Dermatosis liquenoides / Lichenoid dermatoses

Las Dermatosis Liquenoides son un grupo de enfermedades frecuentes en Dermatología. La palabra liquen produce confusión a los dermatólogos, pues es utilizada indistintamente para definir un patrón histopatológico de infiltrado linfocítico en banda en la membrana basal, así como también un patrón clínico de pápulas violáceas aplanadas y brillantes. Considerando su frecuencia, es conveniente que los dermatólogos se encuentren bien familiarizados con estos conceptos en orden a realizar diagnósticos precisos y así otorgar tratamientos adecuados a estos pacientes.

Lichenoid dermatoses are a group of diseases frequently seen in dermatology. The word lichen tends to confuse dermatologists because this term describes a histopathological pattern characterized by a band-like lymphocytic infiltrate in the basal membrane, as well as a clinical pattern of flat, violet, shiny papules. Given the high number of patients suffering from this disorder, it is advisable for dermatologists to be well familiarized with these concepts in order to give an accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment.

PUVA-induced lichen planus.

A 28-year-old male with histologically proven psoriasis vulgaris was administered oral 8-methoxypsoralen UVA therapy (PUVA). The plaques of psoriasis gradually responded to treatment, however numerous pruritic, violaceous papules over the right forearm and left thigh developed 5 months after starting PUVA (45 sittings with a cumulative dose of 156 J/cm(2)). Histopathologic examination of these lesions was compatible with the diagnosis of lichen planus (LP). On stopping PUVA therapy, the lesions subsided in one month. This case emphasizes the hypothesis that cell injury caused by PUVA therapy could expose some sequestered antigens to autoreactive lymphocytes and induce lichen planus.

Lichen planus.

Lichen planus is an inflammatory mucocutaneous condition with characteristic violaceous polygonal flat-topped papules and plaques. Pruritus is often severe. Skin lesions may be disfiguring, and involvement of the oral mucosa or genital mucosa in severe cases may be debilitating. Oral lichen planus may predispose to the development of squamous cell carcinoma within lesions. Involvement of the scalp and the nails may also occur. While most cases of lichen planus are idiopathic, some may be caused by the ingestion of certain medications (e.g., gold, antimalarial agents, penicillamine, thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, quinidine and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) or linked to hepatitis C virus infection. Patients with localized lichen planus are usually treated with potent topical steroids, while systemic steroids are used to treat patients with generalized lichen planus.

PUVA-induced lichen planus pemphigoides.

A 72-year-old woman had suffered from parapsoriasis en plaque (large plaque type) controlled by topically applied psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy. The parapsoriasis lesions gradually disappeared, but numerous tiny red papules with pruritus appeared over the forearms and lower legs 120 days after starting PUVA therapy. These papules developed to form violaceous plaques. Histological findings demonstrated the characteristics of lichen planus. Two months later, tense bullae developed on the plaques and on uninvolved skin of the limbs. These were subepidermal, with linear deposits of IgG and C3 along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) in immunofluorescence of peribullous skin, and immunodeposits of type IV collagen along the floor of the bullae. We therefore, diagnosed lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP). Using systemic and topical steroid therapy, the lesions rapidly resolved and there has been no recurrence. This case suggests that the combination of basal cell injuries caused by chronic inflammation and PUVA therapy could expose BMZ components to autoreactive lymphocytes and induce LPP.

The therapy of oral lichen planus.

Oral lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous disease that is relatively common. Although many patients are asymptomatic and require no therapy, those who exhibit atrophic and erosive lesions are often a challenge to treat. All therapies are palliative, and none is effective universally. Currently employed treatment modalities include corticosteroids administered topically, intralesionally, or systemically. Alternative therapies include topical and systemic retinoids, griseofulvin, Cyclosporine, and surgery. Other medical treatments and experimental modalities, including mouth PUVA, have been reported to be effective. Controversy concerning the efficacy of all these treatments suggests that oral lichen planus is a heterogeneous disorder. Eliminating lichenoid drug eruptions, candidiasis, trauma, contact mucositis, and emotional stress may play a role in the management of these patients. This article is a review of the many treatments and measures that have been employed in the management of patients with oral lichen planus.

Photochemotherapy improves chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease.

We have used oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) to treat four patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease of the skin, oral mucosa, and liver, who had responded only partially to long-term immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone, cyclosporine, azathioprine). PUVA therapy was delivered to the entire skin but not to the oral mucosa, and immunosuppressive therapy was continued in all patients. Two patients' skin lesions improved considerably; the oral lesions healed and did not recur in one. Immunosuppressive therapy could be reduced in these two patients. One patient with sicca signs did not improve. One patient had to interrupt PUVA therapy because of side effects attributed to 8-methoxypsoralen (nausea and vomiting). No flare of acute cutaneous graft-versus-host disease was noted during PUVA therapy. Chronic graft-versus-host disease of the liver did not improve in any patient.

An oral lichen planus-like lesion in Indian betel-tobacco chewers.

During an epidemiologic study of oral cancer and precancerous lesions among Indian villagers, a lichen planus-like lesion was observed in Kerala. The lesion consisted of white, wavy, parallel, non-elevated lines that could not be scraped off. The lesion occurred exclusively among chewers and at the site of placement of quid. There were no subjective symptoms. The peak prevalence of the 35 diagnosed lesions was in the 35-44 years age-group for males and 45-54 for females. There was a marked female predominance. The histologic features were very similar to those seen in oral lichen planus.