Pediatric lichen nitidus: A single‐center experience

Abstract

Objective Lichen nitidus (LN) is an uncommon inflammatory skin eruption. The present study aims to describe a case series of children with LN seen at a tertiary‐care health center. Methods Retrospective study of 17 children with biopsy‐proven LN between January 2007 and March 2017. Data related with epidemiologic, clinical, and histopathologic characteristics were recorded. Results The mean age for the onset of LN was 9 years (range: 5‐17 years), and the mean duration of the skin lesions was 13 months (range: 1‐48 months). Fifteen were boys (88.2%). Seven children had a generalized form of LN (41.1%) and of these, two children had severe pruritus (11.8%). Seven children had a history of co‐morbid skin conditions (41.1%), including lichen planus in one patient (5.9%), lichen striatus in one patient (5.9%), psoriasis and longitudinal ridges in the nails in one patient (5.9%), and cutaneous features of atopic skin in four patients (23.5%). All of the reviewed patients had lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the dermis and basal vacuolar degeneration. Multinucleated giant cells were present in 11 (64.7%). Conclusion This case series found LN in a generalized form as well as other concurrent dermatologic conditions in nearly half of those reported. The boy predominance was also noteworthy.

Oral lichen nitidus case report

“…Oral lichen nitidus is uncommon: a literature search yielded only five reported cases in the last 91 years that suggested LN in the differential diagnosis. [1][2][3][4][5] Only one of these supported this diagnosis with a biopsy of the oral lesions. 2 The other four cases reported skin biopsy-proven LN in patients who also had mucosal lesions suspicious of LN (e.g.…”

“…Four other papers have documented cases of oral lesions presenting in patients with biopsy-proven cutaneous LN. 1,[3][4][5] Like oral lichen planus (OLP), LN is a condition driven by a lichenoid inflammatory process. Cutaneous LN typically presents in childhood or adolescence with asymptomatic eruptions of small skincolored/yellow papules, particularly on the flexor aspects of the limbs, abdomen, and genitals.…”

“…Oral involvement is rare with only one oral biopsy‐proven case of oral LN in the literature, 2 which presented as white papules on the dorsal tongue. Four other papers have documented cases of oral lesions presenting in patients with biopsy‐proven cutaneous LN 1,3‐5 . Like oral lichen planus (OLP), LN is a condition driven by a lichenoid inflammatory process.…”

Flat topped hypopigmented micropapules on the flank and neck

“…However, patients with symptoms may warrant a biopsy, especially if seen by generalized practitioners. It is most common in children and young adults; however, it has also been described in older patients [3,4]. Both genders and all races may be affected.…”

“…Both genders and all races may be affected. Many clinical variants of LN which have been described in literature including vesicular, confluent, generalized, perforating, follicular and linear forms [1,4]. Although LN is generally selflimited, clinical presentation and biopsy results may be needed for patient reassurance.…”