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Lichen striatus: clinical features and follow-up in 12 patients
K Hauber1, C Rose, E B Bröcker
1Department of Dermatology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D- 97080 Würzburg, Germany. hauber-k@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
Insights
Lichen striatus (LS) primarily affects children, presenting as a linear rash that resolves spontaneously. Nail and skin lesions in lichen striatus typically disappear completely over time.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Dermatology
Background:
- Lichen striatus (LS) is an uncommon dermatosis of unknown etiology.
- Characterized by a linear inflammatory papular eruption with spontaneous regression.
Observation:
- A review of 12 consecutive lichen striatus cases was conducted.
- Diagnosis was confirmed histologically.
- The majority of patients (10/12) were children aged 6 months to 12 years, with a male predominance (9:3).
Findings:
- The lower limb was the most frequently affected site.
- Disease duration varied from 4 months to 4 years (median 12 months).
- Nail involvement (onychodystrophy, longitudinal ridging) occurred in 2 patients, resolving completely.
- Postinflammatory pigmentary changes (hypo- and hyperpigmentation) were observed in 9 patients.
- A history of atopic disorders was present in 7 of 12 patients.
Implications:
- Lichen striatus predominantly affects pediatric populations.
- Both cutaneous and nail manifestations of lichen striatus demonstrate complete resolution.
- This series highlights variations in sex ratio, predilection sites, and after-effects compared to existing literature.
Abstract:
Lichen striatus (LS) is an uncommon disease of unknown origin characterised by a linear inflammatory papular eruption with spontaneous regression. We here review a series of 12 consecutive cases of LS. Diagnosis was supported by histological examination. Ten of our 12 patients were children aged 6 months to 12 years. The male gender predominated by 9:3. The lower limb was involved more often than the upper limb and trunk. The duration of the disease until regression ranged from 4 months to 4 years (median, 12 months). Postinflammatory hypopigmentation was noted in 5, and hyperpigmentation in 4 patients. Two patients showed nail involvement (onychodystrophy, longitudinal ridging) which appeared simultaneously with the skin lesions and resolved completely. A personal history of atopic disorders was found in 7 of 12 patients. From this series we can confirm that LS mainly affects children. Both skin and nail lesions disappear completely even if they last longer than one year. Compared with other studies, our series showed differences with regard to sex ratio, predilection sites and after effects.