Localized scleroderma: clinical spectrum and therapeutic update

• Published in: Anais brasileiros de dermatología Vol. 90; no. 1; pp. 62 - 73
• Main Authors: Careta, Mariana Figueiroa, Romiti, Ricardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Autoimmune diseases; Biopsy; Collagen diseases; DERMATOLOGY; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Localized scleroderma; Male; Review; Scleroderma, Localized - classification; Scleroderma, Localized - etiology; Scleroderma, Localized - pathology; Scleroderma, Localized - therapy; Scleroderma, Systemic - pathology; Signs and symptoms; Skin - pathology; Localized scleroderma; Signs and symptoms; Immune System Diseases; Autoimmune diseases; Epidemiology; Collagen diseases
• ISSN: 0365-0596; 1806-4841; 1806-4841; 0365-0596
• DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20152890

Scleroderma is a rare connective tissue disease that is manifested by cutaneous sclerosis and variable systemic involvement. Two categories of scleroderma are known: systemic sclerosis, characterized by cutaneous sclerosis and visceral involvement, and localized scleroderma or morphea which classically presents benign and self-limited evolution and is confined to the skin and/or underlying tissues. Localized scleroderma is a rare disease of unknown etiology. Recent studies show that the localized form may affect internal organs and have variable morbidity. Treatment should be started very early, before complications occur due to the high morbidity of localized scleroderma. In this review, we report the most important aspects and particularities in the treatment of patients diagnosed with localized scleroderma.