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. 2011 Sep;1(1):20-4.
doi: 10.1007/s13555-011-0005-z. Epub 2011 Aug 22.

Erosive lichen planus of the soles: Effective response to prednisone

Samia Goucha  1 , Aida Khaled, Zaineb Bennani, Soumeya Rammeh, Faten Zéglaoui, Rachida Zermani, Bécima Fazaa
Affiliations

Erosive lichen planus of the soles: Effective response to prednisone

Samia Goucha et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Erosive lichen planus (LP) of the soles is a rare variant of LP, characterized by chronic, painful, and disabling plantar ulcerations. Herein, we report a case with complete healing following treatment with systemic steroids.

Case report: A 38-year-old woman was referred with painful and disabling erosive bilateral plantar LP, which she had experienced for 6 weeks. A 1 mg/kg/day, oral prednisone therapy led to rapid improvement and complete healing within 3 weeks, with a sustained result under a low dose maintenance therapy.

Discussion: Ulcerative plantar LP is significantly known to be unresponsive to several topical and systemic therapies. Surgical excision and grafting is the treatment of choice. Systemic steroids are reported to have inefficient or partial results; both on cutaneous healing and on maintenance of the result. Our patient achieved complete cicatrisation with a sustained result of 3 months under a low dose of prednisone (5 mg/day).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bilateral erosions on internal plantar archs
Figure 2
Figure 2
Longitudinal melanonychia of toenails
Figure 3
Figure 3
Epidermal hyperplasia, elongated rete ridges, and bandlike lymphocytic infiltration in the superficial dermal area
Figure 4
Figure 4
Complete healing of the erosions within 3 weeks under systemic steroids
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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