title: Localized morphea treated with imiquimod 5% and dermoscopic assessment of effectiveness.
abstract: The cases are reported of two women patients presenting asymptomatic solitary lesions: one in the anterior tibial region of the right leg, the other on the right arm. The first patient's lesion was 3 cm in diameter and had appeared 2 years earlier as a translucent oval atrophic patch with a definite border. The second patient presented a whitish area with a lilac ring, 2.5 cm in diameter, which had appeared nearly a year earlier. Both patients had no other similar cutaneous lesions, and their family histories for cutaneous disease were negative. The lesions underwent punch biopsy, and the histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of morphea. Laboratory investigations showed no abnormalities. Imiquimod 5% cream was prescribed for 5 consecutive days a week for 16 weeks. Clinical and dermoscopic assessment of the lesions was performed before treatment, during follow-up and at treatment end point. No local or systemic side effects were observed during treatment. Following treatment, both patients achieved complete clinical remission of the lesions, with a definitive improvement in the lesions' initial disfiguring features.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Dermatology, Rome, Italy. campioneelena@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campione
authors.forename: Evelin Jasmine
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Paternò
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diluvio
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlandi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chimenti
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D046169:Dermoscopy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod