Extragenital bullous lichen sclerosus on the anterior lower extremities: Report of a case and literature review

Abstract

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a benign, chronic, inflammatory skin disease with a predilection for the anogenital region in women. Although males can also be affected, the ratio of female to male incidence has been reported to be as high as 6-10:1 and possesses a bimodal age distribution of pre-pubertal girls and postmenopausal women [1, 2]. Affected skin usually demonstrates polygonal papules that coalesce into porcelain white plaques and can be associated with edema, telangiectasias, and comedo-like plug formation [3]. Lichen sclerosus can be debilitating for some patients causing significant pruritus, pain, dysuria, and dyspareunia [4]. Rarely, lichen sclerosus appears in various extragenital areas, although most cases are relatively asymptomatic [3]. Even more uncommonly, as displayed in this case report of a 69-year-old woman, LS can present extragenitally with a bullous or hemorrhagic appearance [5].