An unusual presentation of localized bullous morphea

Abstract

Bullous morphea is a rare variant of localized scleroderma characterized by occasional intermittent blisters. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease. The coexistence of morphea and lichen sclerosus has been reported in different sites in the same patient and more rarely in the same lesion. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman with an atypical presentation of bullous morphea and some histological features of lichen sclerosus. She presented with a 5-year history of an ulcerated plaque, with a sclerotic and atrophic center and indurated budding margins, localized on the lumbar back. Initially the diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma was suggested. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of bullous morphea and showed some histological features of lichen sclerosus. Topical betamethasone and silicone gel ointment were prescribed leading to complete healing of the ulceration within five months. Our case is unusual because of the atypical clinical presentation, the histological aspect combining signs of bullous morphea and lichen sclerosus, and the favorable results with the use of local corticotherapy and silicone gel.