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    Pediatr Dermatol. 2005 Mar-Apr;22(2):158-60.

    Generalized lichen nitidus.

    Source

    Department of Dermatology, Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait. nalmut@usa.net

    Abstract

    Lichen nitidus is a rare chronic condition of unknown etiology. Generalized lichen nitidus is even rarer. We report here a 5-year-old girl who had multiple, asymptomatic, discrete, 1 to 2 mm flesh-colored, shiny, flat, papules on her face, upper limbs, and thighs with relative sparing of the trunk. Resolution of these papular lesions was followed by hyperpigmented macules in those areas. Histopathologic examination of a papular lesion revealed a localized granulomatous lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in an expanded dermal papilla with thinning of overlying epidermis and downward extension of the rete ridges at the lateral margin of the infiltrate, producing a typical "claw clutching a ball" picture, confirming our clinical diagnosis of lichen nitidus. The pigmented macules showed melanin pigmentation on histology. There was no response to oral astemizole treatment for 3 months. However, the lichen nitidus lesions resolved spontaneously without any further treatment over the next year, leaving behind a prominent pigmentary disturbance.

    PMID:
    15804308
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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