Biomaterial Database

A case of lupus erythematosus/lichen planus overlap syndrome. 2006

Kyoko Nagao, and Ko-Ron Chen

Department of Dermatology, Ogikubo Hospital, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan. kyoko@g04.itscom.net

A case of lupus erythematosus/lichen planus overlap syndrome (LE/LP overlap syndrome) was reported. A 53-year-old woman developed violaceous erythema around the nostrils and the upper lips and atrophic scaly erythema on the cheeks and neck. Histopathological studies revealed that the patient had distinct discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), LP, and a lesion with combined features of DLE and LP. Direct immunofluorescent (DIF) studies of the mixed lesion revealed both prominent immunoglobulin (Ig)G deposits in a granular pattern at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) and IgM deposits in the clusters of cytoid bodies; the former are more typical of LE and the latter more of LP. DIF features in combination were unique for LE/LP overlap syndrome. The patient was satisfactorily treated with topical tacrolimus. While reports support the effectiveness of tacrolimus in either LE or LP, this is the first case of LE/LP overlap syndrome treated with topical tacrolimus.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008010	Lichen Planus	An inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. It is characterized by distinctive purplish, flat-topped papules having a predilection for the trunk and flexor surfaces. The lesions may be discrete or coalesce to form plaques. Histologically, there is a "saw-tooth" pattern of epidermal hyperplasia and vacuolar alteration of the basal layer of the epidermis along with an intense upper dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of T-cells. Etiology is unknown.	Cutaneous Lichen Planus,Lichen Planopilaris,Lichen Ruber Planus,Mucosal Lichen Planus,Lichen Rubra Planus,Lichen Planus, Cutaneous,Lichen Planus, Mucosal,Planopilaris, Lichen
D008179	Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid	A chronic form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, CUTANEOUS) in which the skin lesions mimic those of the systemic form but in which systemic signs are rare. It is characterized by the presence of discoid skin plaques showing varying degrees of edema, erythema, scaliness, follicular plugging, and skin atrophy. Lesions are surrounded by an elevated erythematous border. The condition typically involves the face and scalp, but widespread dissemination may occur.	Lupus Erythematosus, Chronic Cutaneous,Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous, Chronic,Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013577	Syndrome	A characteristic symptom complex.	Symptom Cluster,Cluster, Symptom,Clusters, Symptom,Symptom Clusters,Syndromes