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Net Letter
87 (
6
); 892-892
doi:
10.25259/IJDVL_705_18
pmid:
34672478

Keratosis lichenoides chronica showing significant response to acitretin

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Licence
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

How to cite this article: Bhari N, Jassi R, Ramam M, Abhishek GN. Keratosis lichenoides chronica showing significant response to acitretin. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol, doi: 10.25259/IJDVL_705_18

Sir,

Keratosis lichenoides chronica or Nekam’s disease is a rare disorder presenting with lichenoid papules arranged linearly or in a reticulate pattern over the extremities along with facial erythema in seborrheic distribution and oral erosions.

We report a 24-year-old woman, who presented with asymptomatic keratotic papules and plaques over the face, trunk, upper extremities, gluteal area, thighs and legs for the past seven years. The lesions began as erythematous papules and plaques over the centrofacial area which later developed into the firm, non-tender keratotic papules and plaques, followed by progression to other body parts. She also complained of erythema and scaling in the seborrheic areas accompanied by photosensitivity. At presentation, she had a symmetrical eruption on the face, trunk and extremities comprised of well-defined, non-tender, thick keratotic papules and plaques of size 0.5–3 cm with overlying adherent thick yellowish-brown scale [Figures 1a-c]. The papules were arranged linearly at places. Erythematous, semi adherent, mildly scaly plaques were present over the nasolabial folds and forehead. There was a single painless erosion over the hard palate with mild conjunctival erythema. Nails did not show any abnormality. Based on the clinical morphology we made a clinical diagnosis of Nekam’s disease with differential diagnosis of hypertrophic lichen planus and verrucous psoriasis.

Multiple hyperkeratotic papules and plaques over the centrofacial region with erythema over the forehead, nose, cheek and perioral region
Figure 1a:
Multiple hyperkeratotic papules and plaques over the centrofacial region with erythema over the forehead, nose, cheek and perioral region
Hyperkeratotic papules and plaques arranged linearly over the arms
Figure 1b:
Hyperkeratotic papules and plaques arranged linearly over the arms
Superficial erosions over the mucosal aspect of the lower lip
Figure 1c:
Superficial erosions over the mucosal aspect of the lower lip

Biopsy from a keratotic papule on the back showed compact hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis, irregular acanthosis with a dense band-like infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes in upper dermis impinging on the overlying epidermis with focal basal cell damage and occasional necrotic keratinocytes and absent basement membrane thickening [Figures 2a and b]. There was mild to moderate similar infiltrate present around the eccrine glands in the deep dermis without any appreciable mucin in the dermis [Figure 2c]. Overall the histopathological features were suggestive of a hypertrophic lichenoid tissue reaction. Based on the clinical and histopathological findings, the diagnosis of Nekam’s disease or keratosis lichenoides chronica was made. Routine biochemical investigations (complete blood count, liver function test, kidney function test, lipid profile and blood sugar) were within normal limits and anti-nuclear antibody and dsDNA were negative. The patient was treated with acitretin, 25 mg orally twice a day, after taking a written consent explaining the teratogenic side-effects of acitretin; along with topical desonide 0.05% cream once a day over the face for facial erythema for two weeks. At the end of six months, there was an 80–90% improvement, with flattening of keratotic papules with post-inflammatory hypopigmentation [Figures 3a and b]. Erythema and scaling in the seborrheic areas and oral ulcers persisted but had diminished.

Histopathology (H and E, ×40) showing hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis, irregular acanthosis, focal basal cell damage with a dense band-like infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes in the upper dermis
Figure 2a:
Histopathology (H and E, ×40) showing hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis, irregular acanthosis, focal basal cell damage with a dense band-like infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes in the upper dermis
Histopathology (H and E, ×400) showing vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer of the epidermis
Figure 2b:
Histopathology (H and E, ×400) showing vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer of the epidermis
Histopathology (H and E, ×100) showing deeper lymphohistiocytic infiltrate around the appendages and eccrine glands
Figure 2c:
Histopathology (H and E, ×100) showing deeper lymphohistiocytic infiltrate around the appendages and eccrine glands
Posttreatment resolution of the hyperkeratotic papules and plaques over the face with the persistence of facial and conjunctival erythema
Figure 3a:
Posttreatment resolution of the hyperkeratotic papules and plaques over the face with the persistence of facial and conjunctival erythema
Posttreatment resolution of the linearly arranged hyperkeratotic papules over the arms
Figure 3b:
Posttreatment resolution of the linearly arranged hyperkeratotic papules over the arms

Keratosis lichenoides chronica is a rare papulosquamous disorder characterized by erythematous to violaceous papules and plaques arranged in a very characteristic linear and reticulate pattern over the extremities. In addition, patients have facial erythema or seborrheic dermatitis along with oral involvement presenting as persistent erosions and ulceration; and ocular involvement presenting as blepharitis and conjunctivitis.1 Nails may show onychodystrophy and discoloration.2 The disease is more common in adults and is rare in children. Oral, genital and nail involvement are noted frequently in adults while alopecia and pruritus are frequent in children.3 Histopathology shows a lichenoid tissue reaction characterized by epidermal atrophy or acanthosis, parakeratosis, follicular plugging and lichenoid lymphocytic infiltrate with basal cell vacuolization.2,4 Unlike lichen planus, the infiltrate contains plasma cells and extends to the deep dermis around eccrine glands.5 The exact etiopathology of this disease is unknown but few factors like mechanical injury, trauma, autoimmunity, infections, drugs and hematological malignancies have been associated.6-9

Although, there is no definitive laboratory test for the diagnosis of keratosis lichenoides chronica, clinical and histopathological clues are sufficient to make the diagnosis. Treatment is challenging and various treatment options such as oral and systemic steroids, vitamin D analogs, methotrexate, cyclosporine, antimalarials and azathioprine have been tried previously without much improvement. Oral retinoids (acitretin, isotretinoin) were found to be the most effective among all the currently available options.10,11 Improvement begins in a month and significant improvement can be expected in 4–6 months.11,12 A review of 30 patients of Nekam's disease treated with retinoids showed a partial response in 6 (20%) and a complete response in 11 (36.6%) patients.13

Our patient noticed a significant improvement in the skin lesions with acitretin. A short course of oral steroid was tried for persistent facial erythema without much improvement. Though we were unable to achieve complete remission, the response was sufficient to improve the facial appearance and quality of life of our patient.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

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