Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and morphea occurring over different sites in a young male: an interesting association

Abstract

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the female genitalia, presenting as white, atrophic skin plaques; extra-genital LSA is less common, occurring in about 15% of cases. Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is a rare connective tissue disease that typically presents with sclerotic skin plaques. We report a 15-year male patient with dark coloured itchy lesions over lower back since childhood and left knee since 6 months. Various investigations, including hemogram, serum biochemistry, thyroid profile, lipid profile, viral markers, and histopathological examination, were conducted. Patient was treated with potent topical corticosteroid, antihistamines and methotrexate 10 mg weekly once for 6 weeks with moderate improvement. Common immune-pathogenic mechanisms and trigger factors such as genetic predisposition and trauma may be responsible for development of 2 different immune mediated dermatoses in the same patient.