Dermoscopic Evaluation of Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus

Lichen sclerosus (LS), is an uncommon inflammatory dermatosis with preferential involvement of anogenital region. Diagnosis of LS is mainly clinical, but clinical differentiation from conditions like vitiligo, morphea may be a difficult task at times that often requires histological analysis. Dermoscopy is one such non-invasive tool which can help diagnose the disease. There is paucity of Indian data on dermoscopy of LS.

To evaluate clinical, dermatoscopic patterns of LS and correlate them with histopathology.

The study was conducted in a tertiary hospital after obtaining consent from 20 patients. OITEZ e-scope digital microscope was used to evaluate the lesions. Both polarized and nonpolarized mode were used and skin biopsy was done to confirm diagnosis.

Based on morphology, LS was classified as scleroatrophic lesions (61.5%), guttate lesions (30.8%) and hyperkeratotic lesions (7.7%). Dermoscopic analysis revealed structureless white to yellow areas as most common finding (100%) followed by chrysalis like structure (80.8%). Linear irregular vessels were seen in 61.5% lesions and perifollicular scaling in 50.0% lesions. Keratotic plugs were seen in 50.0% lesions. A new characteristic finding, "rosettes" was seen in 38.5% lesions has never been reported with LS before. Non polarized mode was particularly useful for identifying texture changes, keratotic plugs and minute scales which were not visible otherwise.

Dermoscopy is a simple diagnostic tool that helps in the early diagnosis of LS with specific pattern which can avoid invasive procedure like biopsy. Both non-polarised and polarized dermoscopy must be done to visualize the changes of LS well.