Annular lichen planus in association with Crohn disease.
BACKGROUND
Lichen planus is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Although the etiology is not established, it has been associated with autoimmune diseases, viral infections, drugs and dental restoration materials. However, the association with inflammatory bowel disease has been very rarely reported in the literature.


METHODS
A 19-year-old female patient presented with annular lesions on her upper body and limbs, with a sharply defined border and non-atrophic skin in the center. The lesions were hyperpigmented and had been stable for over one year. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of annular lichen planus. She had weight loss, occasional diarrhea, and a severe anemia. The investigation of these symptoms led to the diagnosis of Crohn disease and a sickle cell trait. Therapy with systemic corticosteroids and mesalazine controlled the intestinal disease, with concomitant improvement of the skin lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
As lichen planus can be associated with other immunological disorders, the association with inflammatory bowel disease should be considered in the evaluation of the patient.
Serrão
Vasco Vieira
VV
Dermatology Department, Hospital dos Capuchos, Lisbon, Portugal. vvsferreira@netcabo.pt
Organ
Vasili
V
Pereira
Luís
L
Vale
Esmeralda
E
Correia
Suzete
S
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019804:Mesalamine; D011239:Prednisolone