Ann Dermatol.  2010 Feb;22(1):51-53. 10.5021/ad.2010.22.1.51.

Childhood Lichen Planus with Palmoplantar Involvement

• Jue MS
• Lee JW
• Ko JY
• Yeo KY
• Kim JS
• Yu HJ

• KMID: 2172037
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2010.22.1.51

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) commonly involves the flexor aspects of the wrists, legs, and oral and genital mucous membranes. But it rarely occurs on the palms and/or soles. It mainly affects people in the age range 30~60 years. Childhood LP is reported to constitute only 1~4% of total cases of LP. In the literature, a few cases of LP on the palms and soles of pediatric patients have been reported. Here we report an interesting case of childhood LP with palmoplantar involvement. The patient was a 7-year-old boy who for 6 months had variously sized and shaped, pruritic, violaceous, polygonal papules and plaques on the whole body. The skin biopsy specimens taken from four sites of the patient (dorsum of the hand and foot, sole and chest) showed typical features of LP on histopathology. A diagnosis of generalized LP with palmoplantar involvement was made.

Keyword

Child; Lichen planus; Palmoplantar

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Child
Foot
Hand
Humans
Leg
Lichen Planus
Lichens
Mucous Membrane
Skin
Wrist

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Various sized and shaped, erythematous to violaceous, polygonal papules and plaques on the lower leg (A), trunk (B), and palms and soles (C, D).

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  Fig. 2 (A, B) Histologic findings on the sole show dense band-like infiltration in the papillary dermis that extends to the epidermis, where there is vacuolar alteration of the basal layer, necrotic keratinocytes, irregular acanthosis, wedge shaped hypergranulosis, and compact orthokeratosis (A: H&E, ×40, B: H&E, ×100). (C) Histologic findings on the dorsum of the foot also show typical features of LP (H&E, ×40). (D) A closer view shows vacuolar alteration of the basal layer and pink-staining necrotic keratinocytes (Civatte bodies) (H&E, ×200).

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