Violaceous papules on the palms and soles.
BACKGROUND
Lichen planus (LP) is a condition with many clinical variants that can be quite varied in their presentation.


OBJECTIVE
We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with a very unusual palmoplantar eruption characterized by violaceous pustule-like papules that was subsequently diagnosed as LP.


METHODS
The above case is reported, along with biopsy results. The patient was subsequently treated with a combination of topical corticosteroids and oral acitretin, and her clinical course was followed.


RESULTS
The eruption responded dramatically to our combination treatment and resolved by the 2-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Palmoplantar LP is a rare variant of LP that bears little resemblance to its classic LP. This condition responds well to a combination of potent topical corticosteroids and oral acitretin.
Cheung-Lee
Melody J
MJ
Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. melody@ualberta.ca
Rao
Jaggi
J
D017255:Acitretin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D017255:Acitretin