Generalized lichen nitidus successfully treated with narrow-band UVB phototherapy: two cases report

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 163 - 166
• Main Authors: Do, Mi-Ok, Kim, Myoung-Ju, Kim, Seong-Hyun, Myung, Ki-Bum, Choi, You-Won
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.02.2007; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Adult; Case Report; Child; Humans; Lichen Nitidus - pathology; Lichen Nitidus - radiotherapy; Male; PUVA Therapy; Ultraviolet Therapy; 의학일반
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2007.22.1.163

Lichen nitidus (LN) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory skin disease composed of numerous, tiny, shiny, flesh-colored papules that are predominantly observed on the chest, abdomen, glans penis and upper extremities. The distribution of LN is most often localized, but in some cases it can become generalized. Because LN tends to be asymptomatic and presents spontaneous resolution within several years, it usually does not require treatment except in symptomatic, persistent and generalized cases. We describe a 28-yr-old man and a 7-yr-old boy with generalized LN where both cases improved with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy plus topical steroid ointment. Both patients noted improvement within the first three treatments and showed almost complete resolution after 18 and 20 treatments, respectively. NB-UVB phototherapy may be an effective alternative therapy for the treatment of generalized LN, even for those patients in their childhood.