CASE REPORT


Isolated Linear Discoid Lupus Erythematosus of Scalp Following Lines of Blaschko



Abdurrahman Almurayshid1, *, Sulaiman Al Obaid2
1 Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
2 Department of Dermatology, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


Article Metrics

CrossRef Citations:
2
Total Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 4058
Abstract HTML Views: 1061
PDF Downloads: 794
ePub Downloads: 512
Total Views/Downloads: 6425
Unique Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 2080
Abstract HTML Views: 595
PDF Downloads: 544
ePub Downloads: 326
Total Views/Downloads: 3545



Creative Commons License
© 2019 Almurayshid and Al Obaid.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Medicine College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj - 11942, Al-Kharj; Saudi Arabia; Tel: 00966115886101;
E-mail: almurayshid@gmail.com


Abstract

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease leading to scarring and hair loss. Linear Discoid lupus erythematosus has been mentioned in the literature as a rare variant. This article describes isolated linear DLE of the scalp. We present a 26-year-old Saudi male who had unilateral linear DLE of the scalp with no involvement of other body sites and no systemic manifestations. This case is the first case of isolated linear DLE on the scalp. This presentation should be considered as a differential diagnosis of linear scarring alopecia as a distinct morphological pattern of DLE.

Keywords: Alopecia, Discoid lupus erythematosus, Scalp, Lichen planopilaris, Linear discoid lupus erythematosus, Hair Loss.



1. INTRODUCTION

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is considered the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Cicatricial alopecia is the end stage of this inflammatory disease when it affects the scalp. Clinically, DLE of the scalp typically shows erythematous papules or plaques and keratotic follicular plugging associated with pigmentary changes and atrophy of the skin. It has a female predominance, especially in the fourth and fifth generations [1].

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is usually localized to the head and neck in 80% of the cases and it usually affects sun-exposed areas. If lesions develop beyond the head and neck area it is termed disseminated DLE. [2]. The risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus in DLE patients is around 5-10%. Anti-nuclear antibodies can be seen in 20% of cases [3]. Cutaneous involvement of DLE along lines of Blaschko is quite rare [4]. We present a very rare case of Linear DLE of the Scalp in lines of Blaschko.

2. CASE REPORT

A 26-year-old Saudi male presented to the dermatology clinic with a 10-month history of a skin lesion on the left temple area with progressive hair loss. The lesion was asymptomatic with no itching or redness. The patient denied any trauma to the scalp.

Physical examination showed a 1 × 12 cm unilateral linear well-defined pigmented plaque with atrophy, decreased hair density, perifollicular erythema and scaling over the superior border (Fig. 1A). There was no hair loss of the eyebrows, axillae, or groin area. The remaining skin, oral mucosa and nails were normal. He never complain of joint pain or photosensitivity and was otherwise healthy Dermoscopy showed areas of Perifollicular whitish halo, follicular keratotic plugs and telangiectasias (Fig. 1B) Antinuclear antibodies were negative.

Skin biopsy taken from the erythematous area showed the eccrine gland and interfollicular lymphocytic infiltrate involving the upper follicular epithelium with dense perifollicular fibrosis, atrophic follicles, thick basement membrane and subepidermal pigment incontinence. (Figs. 2A, 2B).

A diagnosis of linear DLE of the scalp was made. The patient was prescribed clobetasol solution in combination with triamcinolone acetonide injections which were (1ml; 10 mg/mL) administered monthly. After 4 sessions, the lesions improved, hair regrowth noticed and no new lesions appeared.

3. DISCUSSION

Linear Cutaneous lupus erythematosus rarely reported, especially DLE of the scalp. We found only 2 case reports on isolated DLE affecting the scalp [2, 5]. However, linear DLE was reported more frequently in other sites like the face, neck and trunk. Linear cutaneous lupus in the literature was also observed in the form of tumid lupus, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, scleroderma overlapping cutaneous lupus and lupus panniculitis [6-8].

Fig. (1A). Linear well-defined hyperpigmented atrophic patch with perifollicular scales.

Fig. (1B). Dermoscopy showed Perifollicular whitish halo, follicular keratotic plugs and telangiectasias.

The patient did not have any history of trauma, and only one side of the scalp was affected. In contrast to this case, two similar case reports of linear DLE of the scalp had a facial extension [2, 5]. The patient had negative ANA and no other systemic manifestations of Lupus erythematosus as expected by majority with limited DLE [3].

Nevoid and Congenital skin diseases may follow lines of Blaschko. However, an inflammatory skin condition rarely has such a presentation [8]. Happle argued that in polygenic diseases, superimposed segmental manifestation should be used rather than segmental mosaicism. Type 1 or 2 segmental mosaicism is only applicable to monogenic inherited diseases or traits [9].

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) should be considered as a differential diagnosis in this case. Differentiating DLE from LPP can be difficult as overlapping features occur clinically as well on pathology samples [10]. Clinical features favoring DLE include follicular plugging, depigmented or hypopigmented areas of skin and hyperpigmented surroundings. Although, histology of DLE may have perifollicular inflammation as seen in LPP, marked interstitial and perivascular inflammatory infiltration is often seen. Furthermore, thickening of the basement membrane and mucin deposition is observed [1, 3, 10].

Fig. (2A). Dense eccrine gland and interfollicular lymphocytic infiltrate involving the upper follicular epithelium with concentric lamellar perifollicular fibrosis.

Fig. (2B). PAS stain shows a positive outer root sheath (ORS) in the lower region of the hair follicle and a negative ORS in the upper region of the hair follicle.

The patient has liner DLE lesions involving only the scalp, making this the first case report presenting with isolated linear DLE exclusively on the scalp. We think that his lesions follow the lines of Blaschko. Unilateral affection and the absence of any trauma history make Kobnerization less likely. Linear DLE of the scalp should be considered as a differential diagnosis of linear scarring alopecia. This may be a distinct morphological pattern of DLE.

CONCLUSION

The first case of isolated linear DLE of the scalp is reported in this paper. When addressing linear scarring alopecia, linear DLE of the scalp must be recognized as a unique entity.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTIIPATE

This study was approved by the IRB (Institutional Review Board) (PSAU/COM/RC/IRB/A/35).

HUMAN AND ANIMAL RIGHTS

Not applicable.

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

Each participant signed an informed consent to participate in the study.

STANDARD OF REPORTING

CARE guidelines and methodology were followed to conduct the study.

FUNDING

None

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Declared none.

REFERENCES

[1] Fabbri P, Cardinali C, Giomi B, Caproni M. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Diagnosis and management. Am J Clin Dermatol 2003; 4(7): 449-65.
[2] Hassan M, Watters KA, Netchiporouk E. Linear discoid lupus erythematosus mimicking en coup de sabre morphea: A case report. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2019.
[3] Somani N, Bergfeld WF. Cicatricial alopecia: Classification and histopathology. Dermatol Ther 2008; 21(4): 221-37.
[4] Mao QX, Zhang WL, Wang Q, et al. Linear cutaneous lupus erythematosus/discoid lupus erythematosus in an adult. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2017; 34(2): 177-9.
[5] Green JJ, Baker DJ. Linear childhood discoid lupus erythematosus following the lines of Blaschko: A case report with review of the linear manifestations of lupus erythematosus. Pediatr Dermatol 1999; 16(2): 128-33.
[6] Meena M, Balai M, Mehta S, Bharti G. Chronic cutaneous lupus wrythematosus in a blaschkoid pattern over face. Indian J Dermatol 2018; 63(2): 180-1.
[7] Chen YA, Hsu CK, Lee JY, Yang CC. Linear lupus panniculitis of the scalp presenting as alopecia along Blaschko’s lines: A distinct variant of lupus panniculitis in East Asians? J Dermatol 2012; 39(4): 385-8.
[8] Seitz CS, Bröcker EB, Trautmann A. Linear variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A clue for the pathogenesis of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus? Lupus 2008; 17(12): 1136-9.
[9] Happle R. Superimposed segmental manifestation of polygenic skin disorders. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57(4): 690-9.
[10] Nambudiri VE, Vleugels RA, Laga AC, Goldberg LJ. Clinicopathologic lessons in distinguishing cicatricial alopecia: 7 cases of lichen planopilaris misdiagnosed as discoid lupus. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014; 71(4): e135-8.