Wolf’s isotopic response, presenting as lichen planus

Abstract

The term “Wolf’s isotopic response” describes the occurrence of a new skin disorder at the site of another unrelated and already healed skin disease. In most cases, herpes zoster is the inicial disease. Different disorders may develop on the same site, most commonly granulomatous and lichenoid reactions, infiltration of hematologic diseases, skin tumors and infections. There are few related cases of lichen planus presenting as isotopic response. We report a case of a 74 year-old woman, with multiple itchy, rose-colored and shiny papules that developed at site of previously healed herpes zoster, on the right arm and shoulder. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is still unknown and further studies are needed.