Nail Lichen Planus in a Patient with Alopecia Totalis

January 2015 in “ Dermatology online journal ”

Brian Ginsberg, John Montgomery Yost, John M. Lewin, Christopher Hale, Shane A Meehan, John A. Carucci, Sarika Ramachandran

alopecia totalis intralesional glucocorticoid injections 20-nail dystrophy lichen planus nail matrix autoimmune alopecia glucocorticoid injections nail dystrophy autoimmune disease

Studysummary This case report reviews a 67-year-old man with both alopecia totalis and lichen planus of the nails, suggesting a possible autoimmune link between these rare concurrent conditions, but presents no new clinical data.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

A 67-year-old man with a three-year history of non-scarring alopecia that progressed to alopecia totalis, despite intralesional glucocorticoid injections, developed 20-nail dystrophy resistant to antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments. A biopsy revealed lichen planus in the nail matrix. Both alopecia totalis and isolated lichen planus of the nails are uncommon and rarely reported together, likely due to their autoimmune origins. The document reviewed literature on their association.

View this study on escholarship.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Multiple Paraneoplastic Syndromes: Myasthenia Gravis, Vitiligo, Alopecia Areata, and Oral Lichen Planus Associated with Thymoma

31 citations , June 2011 in “Journal of the neurological sciences”

In this case report, a patient with thymoma was observed to have four co-occurring paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders that improved after thymectomy, suggesting a possible link between thymoma and these conditions.

research Colocalization of Alopecia Areata and Lichen Planus

9 citations , May 1996 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

This article discusses the colocalization of alopecia areata and lichen planus in pediatric dermatology and does not present new clinical results.