Severe Lichen Planus With Co-Localization of Vitiligo: A Rare and Unusual Case

    Pooja Patel, Maryam Salimi, Huda Al-Kutubi, Kristin L. Andrews, Jaideep Bhat
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    TLDR A 13-year-old boy had both lichen planus and vitiligo, suggesting a possible link between the two conditions.
    A 13-year-old boy presented with hypopigmented patches and was diagnosed with lichen planus (LP) after a circumcision for presumed balanitis xerotica obliterans. Further examination revealed similar patches and scarring alopecia, leading to high-dose oral steroid therapy and protopic ointment. Six months later, areas of depigmentation consistent with vitiligo were observed, which remained stable after one year. The co-localization of LP and vitiligo is rare, with only 10 reported cases, and may share immunological mechanisms. This case underscores the importance of thorough skin examinations and suggests a potential non-coincidental link between LP and vitiligo, warranting further research.
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