Low-dose isotretinoin for the treatment of Morbihan's disease in a 69-year-old Asian male: A case report

Abstract

Morbihan's disease is a rare form of facial lymphedema often associated with chronic rosacea and other skin diseases such as acne. It presents as indurated erythematous plaques in the upper face, which can be challenging to treat. We report a 69-year-old male of Asian background with a 4-year history of facial swelling and redness, unresponsive to prior treatments. After a clinical diagnosis of Morbihan's disease, the patient was treated with oral isotretinoin 10 mg daily, leading to an 80% reduction in symptoms after 9 months. Mild side effects, including cheilitis and xerosis, were well managed. This case highlights low-dose isotretinoin's potential as a therapeutic option for Morbihan's disease. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of treating Morbihan's disease with isotretinoin at high doses between 40 and 80 mg po daily for 12-24 months.

Keywords: Morbihan’s disease; chronic rosacea; facial lymphedema; isotretinoin.

Figure 1.

(a) Sixty-nine-year-old Asian man with erythema and edematous plaques involving the glabella, nose, and bilateral cheeks. (b) One year later after successful treatment with isotretinoin 10 mg for 9 months.