Anular lichenoid dermatitis of childhood L28.1

Annessi 2003

Etiologically unexplained, chronic, lichenoid dermatitis with truncated, large, reddish or brownish, asymptomatic or slightly itchy patches or tender, barely palpable, scale-free plaques, which are homogeneously or annularly configured and may have central hypopigmentation.

Mycosis fungoides: Rarely found at the preferred age of childhood anular lichenoid dermatosis. Histologically, MF shows an inverse pattern of CD4-positive T-lymphocytes intraepithelially to the lichenoid dermatosis.

Erythema anulare centrifugum: Dynamic course, clearly palpable anular plaques (consistency of a wet wool thread). Histologically a lichenoid pattern is missing.

Tinea corporis: Dynamic course, always epidermal component with scaling, blister or pustular formation. Fungal detection is successful in non-pretreated flocks.

Erythema chronicum migrans: Dynamic course, detection of Borrelia bacteria! Histology: No interface dermatitis.

Erythema anulare rheumaticum: Volatile skin component in rheumatic fever (general symptoms are always present). Clinically there are borderline, polycyclic, reddish-brownish, non-pruritic erythema.

Local therapy with glucocorticoids. The disease proves to be very steroid-sensitive. Recurrence after discontinuation of steroidal therapy is probable.

1. Annessi G et al (2003) Annular lichenoid dermatitis of youth. J Am Acad Dermatol 49: 1029-1036
2. Kleikamp S et al (2010) Anular lichenoid dermatosis of childhood - another case in a 12-year-old girl. JDDG 6: 653-656