Vascular variant of keratosis lichenoides chronica associated with hypothyroidism and response to tacalcitol and acitretin

Abstract

Keratosis lichenoides chronica (KLC) is a rare chronic progressive cutaneous disease that is part of the heterogeneous group of lichenoid dermatoses. The typical clinical presentation is characterized by lichenoid hyperkeratotic papules and nodules arranged in a linear and reticular pattern on the trunk and extremities. Our case confirms the existence of a vascular variant of KLC. There is no consensus about its treatment, since it is refractory to many different treatment modalities. We report the effectiveness of acitretin in KLC in combination with tacalcitol. KLC is of unknown aetiology, but is perhaps associated with systemic diseases, most importantly glomerulonephritis and lymphoma. This is the second case associated with hypothyroidism.