Cutaneous lichenoid graft-versus-host disease mimicking lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the main complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and the skin is the most commonly involved organ. The clinical presentation is varied and may resemble autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma, lichen planus or lichen sclerosus. Chronic GVHD presenting with a butterfly malar rash mimicking lupus erythematosus is uncommon. We report a series of five patients with cutaneous lichenoid GVHD that presented with a butterfly malar rash. Two of our patients had positive antinuclear antibody titres. The evolution was poor with development of sclerodermatous GVHD lesions in three patients and relapse of their haematological disease in two.