Erythroderma with total scarring alopecia

Abstract

A woman in her 50s presented with total scarring ulcerated alopecia evolving for 10 years, and a recent budding tumour on the lower lip. Clinical examination revealed an associated exfoliated and infiltrated erythroderma with ulcerated cutaneous tumours of the legs, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, hepatosplenomegaly and diffuse lymphadenopathies.Dermatoscopy of the scalp, leg tumours and infiltrated skin showed a typical yellowish background overlaid by arborescent vessels and whitish areas. Cutaneous biopsies of the same areas found sarcoidotic granulomas. Lip biopsy found an associated well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Investigations confirmed the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis with an elevated converting enzyme level, mediastinal calcified lymphadenopathies in CT scan and deep localisations in positron emission tomography scan (thyroid, lymph nodes, mediastinum, liver, spleen and adrenal glands).The patient was treated with oral prednisone for sarcoidosis and intramuscular bleomycin followed by surgery and radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma. Sarcoidotic lesions healed, but a recurrence of her carcinoma led to death.